Search Research

Recipe for Hydrogels With Tunable Relaxation and Diffusion Properties for Use as MRI Test Materials.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a preparation protocol (recipe) for hydrogels with specific relaxation times and ADC values to be used as tissue-like test materials for MRI experiments at 3 Tesla. METHODS: Gd-DTPA, agarose, and soy lecithin were used as modulators for T1, T2, and ADC. First, systematic measurements were performed to determine the relaxation- and diffusion-modifying properties of the single substances and combinations of them. An algorithm was developed to determine the necessary concentrations of the ingredients to achieve predetermined sets of target values (T1, T2, and ADC). To validate this approach, hydrogels mimicking the relaxation and diffusion properties of different tissues (pancreas, white matter, fibroglandular tissue, liver, prostate) were prepared and evaluated. All measurements (relaxometry, diffusion-weighted imaging) were performed on a 3 Tesla clinical scanner at 20°C. RESULTS: The proposed method allowed the preparation of hydrogels with specific diffusion and relaxation properties by adjusting the concentrations of Gd-DTPA, agarose, and soy lecithin. Test phantoms containing hydrogels for simulation of various tissue types showed good agreement between targeted and measured properties, with deviations of less than 8% for T1, 7.5% for T2, and 11.5% for ADC. With the present approach, the properties (T1, T2, and ADC) of most known tissue classes could be well approximated; only the gray matter of the brain was slightly outside the selectable range. Temporal stability over 3 months was acceptable. CONCLUSION: This work provides a relatively simple, inexpensive, and reproducible method for the preparation of hydrogels with independently adjustable T1, T2, and ADC values at 3 T.

Fritz V, Schick F, Magnetic resonance in medicine

Mar 1, 2026

Shen-Shuai-II-Recipe suppresses hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis via Nrf2 activation to ameliorate renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Shen-Shuai-II-Recipe (SSR), a clinically effective Chinese herbal formula for chronic kidney disease (CKD) management, has shown potential anti-hypoxia and anti-fibrosis properties in rat models of CKD. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of its renoprotection warrant further elucidation. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the mechanisms of SSR's renoprotective actions under chronic hypoxia condition of CKD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo, 5/6 renal ablation/infarction (A/I) rat models of CKD were established and administered with SSR or losartan for eight weeks. In vitro, NRK-52E cells underwent chronic hypoxia induction and were treated with SSR-medicated serum and (or) Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385). Renal hypoxia, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, and fibrosis were assessed via blood oxygenation level-dependent MRI, histopathology, colorimetry, immunoblotting, and fluorometry. RESULTS: SSR significantly suppressed oxidative stress and ferroptosis in 5/6 (A/I) kidneys, concomitant with alleviated hypoxia and fibrosis, which was associated with the up-regulated expression of Nrf2 protein. Hypoxic NRK-52E cells exhibited time-dependent increases in fibrosis and hypoxia-related proteins and suppression of the Nrf2 pathway. Furthermore, SSR significantly improved antioxidant capacity, attenuated lipid peroxidation and fibrosis in chronic hypoxia induced NRK-52E cells by activating the Keap1-Nrf2/xCT/GPX4 axis, while the effect was diminished by Nrf2 inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: SSR inhibits hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis to ameliorate renal fibrosis in CKD via Nrf2 activation.

Xu Y, Wang M, Wang L, Zhang X, Chen G, Wang C, Journal of ethnopharmacology

Feb 10, 2026

The importance of choosing a proper validation strategy in predictive models. Part 2: Recipes for (avoiding) overfitting-A tutorial.

Overfitting remains one of the most pervasive and deceptive pitfalls in predictive modeling. It leads to models that perform exceptionally well on training data but cannot be transferred nor generalized to real-world scenarios. Although overfitting is usually attributed to excessive model complexity, it is often the result of inadequate validation strategies, faulty data preprocessing and biased model selection, problems that can inflate apparent accuracy and compromise predictive reliability. In this second part of our series, we examine the most common yet overlooked practices that contribute to overfitting, ranging from data leakage in preprocessing to the pressures of scientific publishing that encourage result-driven overoptimization. By identifying these pitfalls and providing practical guidelines for performing robust validation protocols, this work serves as a blueprint for researchers to ensure their models are not only high-performing but also trustworthy, reproducible, and generalizable.

Lopez E, Gorla G, Etxebarria-Elezgarai J, Amigo JM, Seifert A, Analytica chimica acta

Jan 22, 2026

Fully Automated Inverse Co-Optimization of Templates and Block Copolymer Blending Recipes for Directed Self-Assembly Lithography.

The directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) offers a highly promising approach for the fabrication of contact holes or vertical interconnect access at sub-10 nm technology nodes. To fabricate circular nanoholes with precisely controlled size and positions, the self-assembly of block copolymers requires guidance from a properly designed template. Effectively parametrizing the template shape to enable efficient optimization remains a critical yet challenging problem. Moreover, the optimized template must possess excellent manufacturing capabilities for practical applications. In this work, we propose a Gaussian descriptor for characterizing the template shape with only two additional parameters by making full use of the positional parameters of the nanoholes. We further propose using AB/AB binary blends instead of pure diblock copolymer to improve the adaptability of the block copolymer system to the template shape. The Bayesian optimization (BO) is applied to co-optimize the binary blend and the template shape. Our results demonstrate that BO based on the Gaussian descriptor can efficiently yield the optimal templates for diverse multihole patterns, all leading to highly matched self-assembled morphologies. Moreover, by imposing constraints on the variation of the curvature of the template during optimization, superior manufacturability is ensured for each optimized template. It is noteworthy that each key parameter of the blend exhibits a relatively wide tunable window under the requirement of a rather high precision. Our work provides valuable insights for advancing DSA technology and thus potentially propels its practical applications forward.

Zhou Y, Shen H, Song Q, Dong Q, Li J, Li W, ACS applied materials & interfaces

Jan 21, 2026

[ Recipe improves type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with hyperlipidemia by multi-target regulation of the inflammation-metabolism network: network pharmacology analysis and clinical validation].

OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Recipe (JZQBR) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with hyperlipidemia and validate its clinical efficacy and safety. METHODS: The active components and disease targets of JZQBR were screened using TCMSP and GeneCards databases, followed by protein-protein interaction analysis and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. In the animal experiments, mice were randomized into blank control, model, simvastatin treatment, and low- and high-dose JZQBR groups. In the latter 4 groups, the mice were fed a high-fat diet for 24 weeks with corresponding treatments from Weeks 9 to 24. The changes in body weight, blood glucose, lipids, liver pathology, and inflammatory cytokine expressions of the mice were examined. In the clinical study, 72 T2DM patients with hyperlipidemia were randomized equally into control group for treatment with metformin plus empagliflozin and JZQBR group with additional JZQBR for 12 consecutive weeks. RESULTS: Network pharmacology identified 65 potential targets, with quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin as the core components and IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF‑α as the key targets. The targets were enriched mainly in the pathways involving inflammatory responses and diabetic complications. In the mouse models, JZQBR treatment dose-dependently improved body weight, blood glucose, and blood lipid profiles, and high-dose JZQBR produced a stronger effect than simvastatin for improving hepatic steatosis and significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels. In the clinical trial, 29 patients in JZQBR group and 31 in the control group completed the trial. The patients in JZQBR group showed significant improvements in body weight, FBG, TG, HbA1c, and liver enzymes with significantly lower fasting blood glucose level than the control group. The total effective rates were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: JZQBR improves T2DM complicated with hyperlipidemia possibly by multi-target regulation of the inflammation-metabolism network.

Li Z, Zhou F, Sun X, Zhao H, Jin Y, He P, Jia Y, Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University

Jan 20, 2026

Research on the effects and mechanisms of the Yiqi Huoxue Recipe in improving renal injury in diabetic nephropathy through the HIF-1 pathway.

This study investigates the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of the Yiqi Huoxue Recipe (YHR) on renal injury in Diabetic nephropathy (DN). Through mass spectrometry analysis, animal experiments, and network pharmacology approaches, it was found that YHR can ameliorate renal function indicators and pathological changes in DN rats, and reduce cell apoptosis. Mechanistic studies indicate that YHR alleviates hyperglycemia-induced renal inflammation and damage by inhibiting the HIF-1 signaling pathway, thereby improving DN.

Niu WD, Liang HW, Hong L, He JX, Qian JH, Pan F, Xu ZW, Wang H, Journal of Asian natural products research

Jan 12, 2026

Shen-Shuai-II-Recipe inhibits aerobic glycolysis through SIRT1 in 5/6 ablation/infarction renal failure model.

Renal fibrosis is the common pathological feature of chronic kidney diseases, which is in parallel with increasing energy demand in proximal tubular epithelial cells during the metabolic shift from fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis. Shen-Shuai-II-Recipe (SSR) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula with known renal benefits in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been shown to intervene in renal energy metabolism in a rodent model of CKD. We aimed to explore the mechanism underlying the protective effect of SSR against CKD. A 5/6 ablation/infarction (A/I) renal failure model was established in rats, followed by 8 weeks of gavage feeding with SSR or Losartan, a positive control. For in vitro experiments, normal rat kidney-52E (NRK-52E) cells were cultured under hypoxic condition (1% O) or normoxic condition. The expression of fibrotic markers and aerobic glycolysis-related enzymes were determined by Western blotting analysis. The concentration of metabolites was also measured. The concentration of lactic acid was increased, and the concentration of pyruvic acid was decreased in vitro and in vivo models, which were correlated with increased expression of glycolysis-related enzymes Hexokinase2 (HK2) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), SSR treatment reversed the changes of renal glycolysis in cells and animals, which was associated with reduced expression of fibrotic markers such as fibronectin and α-SMA. Mechanistically, SSR treatment enhanced the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and reduced the expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) in vitro and in vivo models. Downregulation of SIRT1 by small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) reversed the anti-fibrotic effect and anti-glycolysis effect of SSR in renal cells. SSR exerts an anti-fibrotic effect and inhibits renal aerobic glycolysis in CKD via the regulation of SIRT1/HIF-1α.

Lan T, Zhang X, Lyu X, Wu M, Wang C, Yang L, Scientific reports

Jan 11, 2026

Philological analysis of ancient Egyptian recipes supported by modern chemical profiling approaches.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ancient Egyptian sickness categories are poorly described, making it a challenge to correlate use of materia medica with sickness experience. Nevertheless, many identified ingredients are reported to have therapeutic potential, often used to support Egyptological interpretations of categories. Crucially, these interpretations fail to consider the impact of ancient processing methods. AIMS OF STUDY: We examine two sickness categories using traditional philological techniques, and then recreated and profiled three recipes to explore whether putative properties of principal components of the recipes were retained when ancient processing instructions were followed, to see if the results can further aid the philological analysis. METHODS: Philological analysis was lexicographical, following Egyptological standards. The recreated matter was analysed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to obtain a general overview of the compounds present. Subsequently, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were conducted separately to provide additional insights on the compounds. RESULTS: A recipe using H. vulgare showed activities (hordenine) that corresponded to the sickness description and also that other recipe components had synergistic effects. The other two recipes demonstrated some correspondence with sickness categories also: L. usitatissimum showed limited anti-inflammatory properties for treating cough and C. siliqua epicatechin/gallate for treating cough and fever. CONCLUSIONS: Ancient Egyptian pharmaceutical technologies contributed towards desired pharmacological effects, the compositum analysed indicated ingredient synergism from a modern perspective. Chemical profiling can support the philologist in commenting on the significance of processing practices, which can further aid understandings of ancient Egyptian sickness categories.

Russell J, Kim HK, Korthout H, Naimi A, Reher R, van Duijn B, Wang M, Pommerening T, Journal of ethnopharmacology

Jan 10, 2026

Dingxin recipe III ameliorates endothelial cell senescence in atherosclerosis by activating the FOXO3a/PINK1/Parkin axis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dingxin Recipe III (DXRIII) is a traditional Chinese medicinal formulation that has been employed in clinics for over two decades. It is utilized in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases associated with atherosclerosis (AS) through mechanisms purported to involve the clearing of heat and detoxification, as well as the promotion of blood circulation and the removal of blood stasis. Despite its widespread application and reported therapeutic benefits, its exact mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. AIM OF THIS STUDY: This study aimed to confirm the anti-AS efficacy of DXRIII and elucidate its underlying mechanism, specifically focusing on the amelioration of endothelial senescence. METHODS: The mechanisms underlying the anti-AS effects of DXRIII were elucidated through network pharmacology analysis. In vivo and in vitro models were established using high-fat diet (HFD) induced ApoE mice and HO-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), respectively. The histopathologic changes of aortic tissues, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, mitophagy, senescence, and FOXO3a/PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway were evaluated through histological staining, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescent probe staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. The constituents of DXRIII were identified via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the binding affinity and stability of its active compounds with target proteins were investigated using molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay. Foxo3a was silenced in vitro by lentiviral transfection to determine its involvement in DXRIII-induced mitophagy. RESULTS: DXRIII effectively ameliorated plaque pathology in AS mice and attenuated endothelial cell senescence. Meanwhile, DXRIII suppressed pro-inflammatory factors and adhesion molecules, mitigated oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, while activating PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and upregulating FOXO3a expression. Notably, both mitophagy inhibition Mdivi-1 and silencing of FOXO3a in vitro blocked DXRIII's anti-senescence effects. Furthermore, the active ingredients of DXRIII, including berberine, kaempferol, quercetin and luteolin, showed strong binding affinity with FOXO3a and enhanced its protein stability. CONCLUSION: Our findings for the first time demonstrated that DXRIII effectively alleviates endothelial senescence and HFD-induced AS, possibly by activating FOXO3a and subsequently enhancing PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy.

Liu X, Jin Y, Li Z, Zhao H, Zhou X, Zhu Y, Gu Y, Zhang L, Zhang Y, He P, Cheng S, Xu Y, Jia Y, Journal of ethnopharmacology

Jan 10, 2026

Clinical implementation of RECIP 1.0.

Prostate cancer remains a major global health burden, and the integration of PSMA-targeted PET imaging and radioligand therapy has transformed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for advanced disease. Traditional response assessment tools-such as PSA kinetics, CT, bone scans, and composite criteria like PCWG3 or RECIST-are limited by PSA flare phenomena, inability to evaluate bone-only disease, and lack of sensitivity for early metastatic changes. To address these limitations, the Response Evaluation Criteria in PSMA PET/CT (RECIP 1.0) was developed as the first evidence-based framework leveraging PSMA PET imaging for treatment response evaluation. RECIP 1.0 incorporates changes in PSMA-positive total tumour volume and the appearance of new lesions, enabling stratification into complete response, partial response, stable disease, or progressive disease. It has demonstrated strong prognostic value for overall and progression-free survival and supports standardized reporting essential for clinical trials. A visual RECIP method further enhances feasibility in routine practice, showing excellent concordance with quantitative software-based segmentation. Although challenges remain, particularly the labor-intensive nature of tumour segmentation and variability across imaging protocols emerging AI-based automated tools are poised to streamline RECIP implementation. As PSMA-based theranostics continue to expand, RECIP 1.0 offers a robust and clinically meaningful framework for response assessment.

Sen I, Malik D, Thakral P, Seminars in nuclear medicine

Jan 9, 2026

Tiaobu Xinshen Recipe Improves Cognitive Deficits by Alleviating Synaptic Ultrastructure Degradation and Reducing Amyloid β in Transgenic Mice of Alzheimer's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Tiaobu Xinshen Recipe (TXR) on cognitive function of 5xFAD transgenic mice and explore the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Six-month-old male wild-type (WT) mice and 5xFAD transgenic mice were randomly divided into vehicle (0.9% NaCl), TXR (granules, 4.18 g/kg) and donepezil (0.625 mg/kg) groups using a random number table, respectively, which were given intragastric administration once a day for 60 d. Spatial learning and memory performance was tested with modified Morris water maze (MMWM) test. Synaptic ultrastructure in the hippocampal CA1 region was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The levels of amyloid β (Aβ), the major amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzymes and Aβ-degrading enzymes including β-secretase, α-secretase, neprilysin (NEP) and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), were detected by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: In MMWM test, when compared with the 5xFAD-vehicle group, 5xFAD-TXR group demonstrated a significantly shorter escape latency to the platform and increased number of platform crossings and time spent in target quadrant (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The ultrastructure of synapse in the hippocampal CA1 region of mice in the 5xFAD-TXR group was significantly changed, including increased numbers of mitochondria and synaptic vesicles, intact synaptic membrane, and thickened postsynaptic density. The Aβ load was markedly decreased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus CA1 subregion of TXR-treated 5xFAD mice (P<0.05). TXR treatment decreased APP levels and increased IDE expression in brains of 5xFAD mice (P<0.01). However, TXR treatment had no effect on α- and β-secretase, and NEP in 5xFAD mice (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: TXR improves cognitive dysfunction in 5xFAD mice by alleviating synaptic ultrastructure degradation and reducing Aβ.

Lin ZY, Cai LL, Lin JX, Zheng GY, Chinese journal of integrative medicine

Jan 7, 2026

'PULSE FICTION': Development of Slightly Processed Pulse-Based Foods and Recipes to Meet the Needs of Consumers and the Agricultural Sector and Improve Food Sustainability.

Pulses offer significant nutritional and environmental benefits and are useful components of healthier, more sustainable diets and global food security. However, their consumption in France remains low and below the world average. Farmers face economic and technical challenges in diversifying crops, and current domestic production is insufficient to meet this low demand, resulting in continued reliance on imports. Production and consumption are closely linked: low consumer demands limit incentives for farmers to expand cultivation, while limited availability can also constrain uptake. One of the major barriers to consumption relates to preparation and processing. While consumers generally view raw or minimally processed pulses positively, they often avoid using them because they perceive them as time-consuming to prepare or associate them with undesirable sensory attributes (e.g., bitterness and astringency). It also might be difficult for consumers to categorize pulses according to their level of processing. Although pulse processing makes them more convenient for users, former studies suggest that consumers are suspicious about the processing of pulses, and that they may even confuse processing with ultra-processing. This suspicion could sometimes lead to rejection by consumers. The process should thus remain moderate. Encouraging the use of minimally processed pulses, which balance convenience and acceptance, is crucial for wider adoption. The aim of the PULSE FICTION project is to develop minimally processed pulse products with pulses as the main ingredient that align with consumer preferences, farmer constraints and sustainability goals. A key innovation will be the selection of intermediate food products (IFPs) on the basis of consumer and farmer input and chef-developed easy-to-make recipes. These products will be evaluated for their nutritional and sensory qualities, satiety, consumer acceptance and environmental impact. Beyond product development, PULSE FICTION explores the cognitive and sensory factors influencing consumer acceptability and designs effective communication strategies for all stakeholders to facilitate consumer adoption of pulse-based foods.

Arvisenet G, Chambaron S, Hernandez-Casiano Z, Gerard-Simonin H, Tanguy C, Hugol-Gential C, Saint-Eve A, Salles C, Nutrition bulletin

Jan 7, 2026

Recipe optimization and SRF test of Cu-compatible Nb[Formula: see text]Sn films by DC magnetron sputtering from a stoichiometric target.

The development of modern particle accelerators such as FCC-ee requires improved energy efficiency. On the SRF cavity side, the intermetallic compound [Formula: see text] is a promising alternative to niobium: its higher critical temperature (18.3 K) results into a BCS surface resistance at 4.5 K comparable to the one of Nb at 2 K, potentially allowing improved performance and reduced cryogenic costs while maintaining operation at 4.5 K. However, its brittleness makes bulk machining impractical, restricting its application to thin-film coatings. This study presents [Formula: see text] thin films deposited on copper substrates via DCMS using a single stoichiometric target. The optimization of the deposition parameters via the evaluation of the critical temperature, morphology, elemental composition and crystalline structure of the films is outlined. A niobium buffer layer is implemented to prevent copper-tin interdiffusion, and plays a key role in the film quality. The results demonstrate [Formula: see text] films deposited at ≤ [Formula: see text] on copper substrates pre-coated with a 30 µm niobium buffer layer which exhibit a critical temperature ≥ 17 K. The RF test of a film deposited via the same recipe on a bulk Nb QPR sample yielded an RF surface resistance of 23 nΩ at 4.5 K, 20 mT and 400 MHz. These findings open the way to a scalable approach to high-performance [Formula: see text]/Cu cavities.

Fonnesu D, Ford D, Chyhyrynets E, Keckert S, Knobloch J, Kugeler O, Lazzari M, Marconato G, Salmaso A, Zubtsovskii A, Pira C, Scientific reports

Jan 6, 2026

Bushen Huoxue recipe regulates endometrial epithelial ion channels to promote embryo implantation in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation mice.

BACKGROUND: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is commonly used to obtain large numbers of high-quality oocytes. However, elevated estrogen levels due to COH can disrupt uterine fluid metabolism and impair embryonic implantation. We investigated the effects and mechanisms of Bushen Huoxue recipe (BSHX) on COH-induced impairment of endometrial receptivity. METHODS: Female mice were randomly divided into the following five groups: control, model, BSHX-L, BSHX-M, and BSHX-H. In addition to the control group, the COH model was established by injecting mice in the other groups with 0.4 IU/g pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and 1 IU/g human chorionic gonadotropin. After successful mating, mice in the BSHX-L, BSHX-M, and BSHX-H groups were treated with 5.5, 11.0, and 22.0 g/kg, respectively. Mice in the control and model groups were administered distilled water (10 mL/kg) daily via gavage. Embryo numbers were examined on embryo day 10 (D10). Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on D4. Endometrial morphology was analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein and gene expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) subunits were assessed using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: BSHX treatment reduced superphysiological serum estradiol and progesterone levels, improved endometrial morphology during the implantation window, upregulated LIF, α-, β-, and γ-ENaC expression, and downregulated CFTR expression, thereby enhancing embryo implantation. CONCLUSION: BSHX may improve assisted reproductive technology pregnancy rates by regulating sex hormones and uterine fluid balance to prevent COH-induced endometrial damage.

Chen ZZ, Liang W, Lu Y, Pei ST, Gou FY, Gong X, Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA

Jan 5, 2026

Homemade toothpastes: what recipes for what effects?

Introduction Nowadays, mistrust of industrial products has led to the growing popularity for homemade (or do-it-yourself [DIY]) products, specifically in the field of cosmetics and hygiene products such as toothpastes.Aims The aim of the present work was to complete the data collection by systematically reviewing DIY toothpaste (DIYT) recipes found online and gather information on composition, measurement units and conservation modalities. Furthermore, a systematic literature review on DIYT was performed.Methods Four browsers (Baidu, Ecosia, Google, Yahoo) were used to systematically collect DIYT recipes online over the last ten years; for the systematic review, five scientific databases (Cochrane Library electronic, Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science) were searched (September 2024) with 'homemade toothpaste recipes' and 'homemade toothpaste' as keywords.Results A total of 116 different DIYT recipes and six articles were found over the last ten years. Between 2-11 different ingredients were considered per recipe. None of the recipes contained fluoride. The literature synthesis showed that further research is needed to document DIYT effects, risks and limitations.Conclusions DIYT may have deleterious effects; dental professionals should be sensitised as well as patients.

Queneau V, Bourgeot A, Couteau C, Coiffard L, Doméjean S, British dental journal

Jan 1, 2026

Yujie recipe attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via suppressing NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling in a Nrf2-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive, fatal lung disease. Yujie Recipe (YJR), a traditional Chinese medicine, is used clinically for pulmonary disorders, but the active constituents and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of YJR in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (BIPF) mouse model and to systematically identify its key bioactive constituents along with their underlying molecular mechanisms, providing novel mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic candidates for PF. METHODS: Bleomycin was used to induce BIPF mice model, while YJR was administered at multiple doses to evaluate its anti-PF effects. An integrated approach combining phytochemical profiling, computational and cellular assays was employed to uncover the anti-PF constituents in YJR and their anti-fibrotic mechanisms. RESULTS: Yujie Recipe (YJR) dose-dependently attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (BIPF) in mice by activating Nrf2-ARE signaling and suppressing the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory signaling. Nrf2 ablation abolished the protective effects of YJR and restored NF-κB/NLRP3 activation, highlighting the central role of Nrf2 in mediating its anti-fibrotic activity. Phytochemical analysis identified 146 lung-exposed compounds, of which 20 predicted bioactives were tested for Nrf2 agonist activity. Licochalcone B (LCB), apigenin (APG), and formononetin (FN) were confirmed as potent Nrf2 agonists. In vitro, they dose-dependently reduced ROS accumulation and inhibited TGF-β1-challenged migration and myofibroblast differentiation of MRC-5 fibroblasts, as indicated by decreased α-SMA, collagen I, and fibronectin. CONCLUSIONS: YJR exerts anti-fibrotic effects via suppressing NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in a Nrf2-dependent manner, while licochalcone B, apigenin, and formononetin are identified as key anti-fibrotic constituents.

Qin L, Zhao B, Xiong Y, Chen L, Qi S, Ma Y, Zeng H, Song Y, Liu W, Tian T, Ge G, Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Jan 1, 2026

Medical Recipes in Early Medieval English: A Cultural Linguistic Perspective on the Cognition of Health and Illness.

The Old English medical text, Bald's Leechbook, represents the most comprehensive medical treatise written in the vernacular. Book 1 is arranged broadly in the order of head to foot, presenting herbal recipes alongside occasional comments on their efficacy, details of the symptoms and etiology of illnesses. Though in a minority, several recipes involving magic, religion, and symbolism appear. This text provides evidence of cultural views on health and illness, such as the humoral theory of disease etiology, as well as ideas reflecting common human cognitive tendencies, such as the belief in the power of words. The recipes also reveal herbal knowledge, as well as schemas for recipe preparation. This article brings a novel perspective to the text by examining the construction of medical recipes in terms of cognition and culture. It considers how language reflects and directs attentional focus and what this shows about the structure of medical knowledge, including what is considered to be valuable knowledge as well as assumed information. As the text reflects the medical practice of Early Medieval English physicians, this Cultural Linguistic analysis demonstrates how an understanding of language and cognition in historical texts can shine some light on knowledge structures in distinct historical periods.

Scott P, Topics in cognitive science

Jan 1, 2026

Evaluation of treatment efficacy according to RECIP 1.0 criteria in castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between treatment response and radiological progression-free survival (rPFS) in patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) assessed by PSMA-PET/CT using Response Evaluation Criteria on PSMA (RECIP 1.0) criteria. METHODS: In this study, 116 patients were analyzed retrospectively. At the beginning of the treatment and week 12 were PSMA PET/CT images evaluated for changes in total tumor volüme and new lesions. Patients were divided into four groups according to RECIP criteria; complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). The primary outcome was the correlation of RECIP criteria with rPFS. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 67 years [IQR: 62-72]. Total of 116 patients; 65 (56%) hadPR, 17 (14,6%) SD, 19 (16,3%) PD, and 15 (12%) CR. rPFS was found to be statistically significantly different among these four groups (p < 0.001). RECIP PD was found to be significantly shorter rPFS compared with non-PD (p < 0.001), with an rPFS of 7 months (95% CI: 3.45-10.56). PSA values were measured at nadir in 40 patients and no patient in this group was evaluated as having PD. CONCLUSION: RECIP criteria have been shown to have prognostic significance in terms of evaluating treatment response and rPFS in mCSPC patients.

Gulturk I, Kapar C, Arslan E, Polat M, Sonmezoz GB, Tural D, Actas urologicas espanolas

Jan 1, 2026

Comparative environmental assessment of integrated anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis systems for sewage sludge treatment: impact assessment using ReCiPe and USEtox methods.

Growing concerns over pollutants in sewage sludge have increased interest in integrating anaerobic digestion (AD) and pyrolysis (Py) to enhance energy recovery, reduce toxic compounds, and minimize environmental impacts. This study evaluates six treatment scenarios: standalone AD or Py, and four integrated AD-Py configurations, with or without aqueous pyrolysis liquid (APL) recycling. Environmental impacts were assessed using ReCiPe 2016 and USEtox® methods. Scenario S4:AD-Py-AD, which recycles APL to AD, achieved the highest climate change mitigation (-300 kg CO-eq./ton hydrolyzed sludge (HS)) but also showed elevated freshwater ecotoxicity (increase by 52-fold compared to AD) due to persistent organic pollutants emissions in effluent. Scenario S3:AD-Py, without APL recycling, demonstrated the best overall environmental performance, with low climate impact (-293 CO-eq./ton HS) and ecotoxicity (same as AD). In contrast, S6:ADCo-Py-AD, which includes a high-rate AD reactor and APL recycling, had the poorest performance due to high ecotoxicity (980-fold increase compared to AD). These findings highlight that Py of digestate can be a beneficial pathway for sewage sludge treatment, showing the best environmental benefits compared to stand-alone processes.

Indrebø TL, Flatabø GØ, Stoknes K, Arachchige GS, Bioresource technology

Jan 1, 2026

Scanning the Horizon of Replicability in Neuroscience: A Recipe of Developing Replicable Deep Models for Functional Neuroimages.

Neuroimaging techniques have revolutionized our capacity to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of behavior in-vivo. Leveraging an unprecedented wealth of public neuroimaging data, there is a surging interest to answer novel neuroscience questions using machine learning techniques. Despite the remarkable successes in existing deep models, current state-of-arts have not yet recognized the potential issues of experimental replicability arising from ubiquitous cognitive state changes, which might lead to spurious conclusions and impede generalizability across neuroscience studies. In this work, we first dissect the critical (but often missed) challenge of ensuring prediction replicability in spite of task-irrelevant functional fluctuations. Then, we formulate the solution as a domain adaptation where we devise a cross-attention mechanism with discrepancy loss in a Transformer backbone. We have evaluated the cognitive task recognition accuracy and consistency on multi-run functional neuroimages (successive imaging measurements of the same cognitive task in a short period of time) from Human Connectome Project, where the significantly enhanced replicability and accuracy by our proposed deep model indicate the great potential of addressing real-world neuroscience questions through the lens of reliable deep models.

Ding J, Dan T, Wei Z, Laurienti PJ, Wu G, IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering

Jan 1, 2026