Background: Obesity and periodontitis are linked through inflammatory and metabolic pathways, and the oral microbiota may mediate this interaction. Age-related changes in immunity, salivary function, and cumulative exposure may modify obesity-associated periodontal dysbiosis. Objective: We sought to synthesize the potential for age-related differences in the oral microbiota of adult obese patients with periodontitis and assess the strength of current literature in supporting age-specific interpretations. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase identified 1088 records. After screening and full-text assessment, 50 studies that met the criteria for focused qualitative synthesis remained. Within that review corpus, 10 representative adult human studies provided the most direct evidence linking obesity or overweight, periodontal phenotype, oral microbiota, and age-relevant interpretation. Risk of bias was appraised with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Direct head-to-head microbiome comparisons between younger and older obese adults with periodontitis are rare. Direct evidence links obesity to greater periodontal inflammatory burden, enrichment of classical periopathogens and bridging taxa, and shifts in community structure. Contextual aging studies have suggested that older adults may more often harbor lower-diversity, persistence-oriented communities enriched in stress-tolerant, proteolytic, or opportunistic taxa, whereas younger obese adults more often show inflammation-amplifying consortia enriched in classical periopathogens and bridging taxa. However, these patterns remain largely hypothesis-generating because the evidence base is heterogeneous and predominantly cross-sectional. Conclusions: Age likely modifies the obesity-periodontitis-microbiota axis, but direct comparative evidence on adults remains limited. The current literature supports cautious age-aware interpretation within a systematic review framework rather than definitive age-specific microbial signatures or treatment algorithms.

Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) is a nucleotide-rich, water-soluble intracellular fraction derived from disrupted Chlorella biomass that has historically been described as a "growth-promoting" extract but remains poorly defined at the molecular level. In this review, we propose that CGF should not be interpreted as a classical receptor-binding growth factor, but rather as a heterogeneous, nucleotide-dominant metabolic fraction that may modulate cellular redox balance and biosynthetic capacity. We integrate available evidence on CGF characterization, including A260-based analytical indices, mineral-dependent biosynthesis, and extraction methodologies, with mechanistic observations from in vitro, animal, and applied biological systems. Across these contexts, CGF-associated fractions have been reported to influence redox-sensitive pathways, including NAD(H)/NADP(H)-linked processes, MAPK/AP-1 signaling, extracellular matrix regulation, and humoral immune responses. However, most mechanistic evidence remains indirect, and compositional heterogeneity limits direct comparability across studies. From a nutritional perspective, CGF contributes minimal macronutrient value but may provide conditionally relevant dietary nucleotides, amino acids, and redox-active metabolites that support metabolic processes under stress conditions. Observed biological effects are consistent with a model of metabolic permissiveness, in which CGF-associated fractions may support endogenous cellular functions rather than directly initiating signaling cascades. Key translational challenges include the lack of compositional standardization, limited nucleotide speciation, variability in extraction protocols, and the absence of pharmacokinetic and controlled human studies using well-characterized CGF preparations. Overall, CGF may be conceptualized as a candidate dietary bioactive with redox-centered and metabolically permissive properties. Further work integrating standardized analytical frameworks with mechanistic and clinical validation will be required to establish its role in human nutrition and functional food applications.

Background: Adolescent obesity and depressive symptoms have increased concurrently, often presenting as co-occurrence. However, evidence on the timing of physical activity (e.g., weekday vs. weekend) and adherence to planetary health diets remains limited. This study examined these associations among adolescents in Zhejiang Province from 2022 to 2024. Methods: A total of 261,495 adolescents aged 11-18 years were included. Physical activity (PA) and dietary behaviors were assessed through the China Common Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance among Students questionnaire (reliability: Cronbach's α = 0.84, validity: RMSEA = 0.07). The plant-based Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI-green) adherence was defined as consuming at least one daily serving of both vegetables and fruits. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, and co-occurrence was defined as the coexistence of obesity and depressive symptoms. Temporal trends were tested using χ2 tests. Sex-stratified logistic regression, restricted cubic spline analyses, and population attributable fraction (PAF) analyses were applied. Results: From 2022 to 2024, obesity (p for trend = 0.013) and depressive symptoms (p for trend = 0.003) increased significantly, while co-occurrence remained stable (p for trend = 0.058). Boys had higher obesity and co-occurrence, whereas girls showed higher depressive symptoms (all p < 0.001). Higher weekly PA, greater weekend PA and PHDI-green adherence were associated with reduced odds of obesity in both sexes (all p < 0.001). Weekend PA showed stronger associations with depressive symptoms among girls, while PHDI-green showed stronger inverse associations in boys (p for sex difference < 0.001). PAF analyses suggested that low weekend PA accounted for substantial proportions of cases (girls: obesity 10.17%, depressive symptoms 31.30%, co-occurrence 35.64%). Joint adherence to adequate PA and PHDI-green conferred the lowest odds of co-occurrence (boys: OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.34-0.46; girls: OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.26-0.43). Conclusions: Adherence to the Planetary Health Diet may be particularly relevant for boys, whereas PA-especially weekend PA-may be more strongly associated with health outcomes among girls. These findings suggest the importance of sex-specific and time-targeted behavioral strategies for obesity, depressive symptoms, and their co-occurrence in adolescents.

Background/Objectives: The rapidly expanding landscape of digital technologies is transforming innovation processes across industries, and the food sector is increasingly encouraged to adopt novel tools that can enhance development workflows and support competitive positioning. In the context of Industry 4.0, it is particularly important to examine open innovation approaches that may increase the efficiency of engineers and researchers involved in the research and development of food supplements. Such approaches enable broader access to relevant scientific information, including new bioactive ingredient research and their physiological implications, potentially contributing to the development of better-informed and higher-quality products. Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the deep research capabilities of several popular large language models to assess their suitability for supporting the conceptual design of a blood glucose-optimizing food supplement intended for prediabetes management. The comparative analysis focused on the level of detail in the outputs generated by each model, the robustness of the conclusions drawn, and the capacity to produce formulation-oriented recommendations grounded in scientific literature and regulatory frameworks. Our evaluation was primarily qualitative and subjective, highlighting both the potential and limitations of these models. Moreover, the study outlines a forward-looking concept for product validation using wearable smart devices and medically certified wearable devices with continuous biometric monitoring, which could provide an innovative avenue for assessing supplement efficacy. Results: The findings indicate that large language models can support the collection, organization, and preliminary interpretation of complex scientific information. Conclusions: Nevertheless, expert input remains essential for accurate evaluation, scientific validation, and regulatory compliance, as these models cannot yet replace domain expertise or rigorous experimentation in food supplement development.

Background/Objectives: Saikosaponin D (SSD) is a bioactive compound from traditional Chinese herbs with known anti-tumor activities, including apoptosis induction, autophagy modulation, and inhibition of cell migration and invasion. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects on human endometrial cancer Ishikawa cells remain elusive. This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor effects of SSD on EC Ishikawa cells and elucidate the molecular pathways involved, focusing on DNA damage, cell cycle regulation, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and AMPK signaling. Methods: We performed in vitro experiments using Ishikawa cells and in vivo studies using a female BALB/c nude mouse xenograft model. DNA damage was assessed via comet assay, intracellular Ca2+ concentration via Fluo-3 AM staining, autophagy via transmission electron microscopy, and apoptosis via flow cytometry. Autophagy was inhibited using 3-methyladenine, and ER stress was modulated with the PERK inhibitor GSK2656157. Protein expression levels of related genes were analyzed by western blotting. No preregistration number or CONSORT details applied, as this was a pre-clinical study. Results: SSD treatment was associated with DNA damage and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest in Ishikawa cells both in vitro and in vivo. SSD was associated with an increased LC3II/LC3I ratio and activation of the AMPK pathway. It was also associated with ER stress, as evidenced by downregulation of PERK, mTOR, and eIF2α, and upregulation of p-eIF2α. Furthermore, SSD was associated with modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway to inhibit cell migration and invasion. Conclusions: SSD exerts anti-tumor effects on human EC Ishikawa cells in vitro and in vivo through mechanisms involving DNA damage, G2/M arrest, autophagy, ER stress, and AMPK-mediated inhibition of migration and invasion. These findings suggest that SSD may represent a potential therapeutic agent for EC.

Objectives: This review aims to systematically summarize turmeric's botanical traits, traditional medicinal applications, phytochemical components and their biological activities, and to integrate botanical, phytochemical, molecular and clinical perspectives to provide a comprehensive theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the future scientific research and clinical applications of turmeric as a functional food. Methods: A systematic overview and comprehensive analysis were conducted on the existing research about turmeric, covering its botanical characteristics, traditional medicinal application value, the biological mechanisms of major bioactive compounds (especially curcumin), pharmacokinetic properties, and the latest progress in relevant clinical trials. Results: Turmeric has important historical and cultural significance in traditional medicine, and its major bioactive compound curcumin is the core of its therapeutic potential, which can modulate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor signaling pathways. Recent studies have found that curcumin exerts significant biological effects by regulating noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and epigenetic modifications, showing a promising role in cancer chemoprevention. Meanwhile, curcumin has specific pharmacokinetic properties, and current clinical trials on turmeric and curcumin have made certain progress, yet challenges such as low bioavailability and limited therapeutic efficacy still exist. Conclusions: Turmeric, as a widely recognized functional food with rich phytochemicals and diverse biological activities, has great potential in scientific research and clinical application, especially in cancer chemoprevention. Solving the key challenges such as curcumin's bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy is the core direction for the future development and utilization of turmeric, and the multi-dimensional research perspective can provide more comprehensive support for its practical application as a functional food.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world's leading cause of death and continues to rise in prevalence, contributing to healthcare and economic costs. Following diagnosis, patients are advised to adopt medication regimens, increase physical activity, and modify dietary intake to reduce disease progression and prevent additional comorbidities. Oxalate is a small molecule in plant-derived foods such as spinach, potatoes, almonds, and peanuts and is also produced endogenously. Although oxalate is traditionally studied in the context of kidney stone disease, recent evidence suggests that it may be a dietary contributor to inflammation and oxidative stress in CVD. Elevated systemic oxalate levels promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activate inflammatory pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the NLRP3 inflammasome, which are key players in CVD. In this narrative review, we discuss the current literature describing the role of inflammation in CVD and evaluate emerging evidence that dietary oxalate may influence immune, oxidative, and vascular mechanisms contributing to CVD development and progression. In addition, we highlight populations that may be most vulnerable to oxalate-mediated vascular effects. We conclude by describing existing gaps in knowledge and potential future directions for the field. Understanding these mechanisms further may guide dietary recommendations and delineate oxalate's potential role as a modifiable risk factor for CVD.

Vitamin K (VK), traditionally recognized for its role in coagulation, is increasingly implicated in extrahepatic processes, including glucose metabolism and calcium regulation. A suboptimal VK status is common in the general population and may limit these functions, yet evidence linking VK to glucose metabolism and other endocrine axes remains heterogeneous and incompletely synthesized. This narrative review integrates mechanistic, observational, and interventional evidence to examine the role of VK across the endocrine system, with particular emphasis on glucose metabolism. Mechanistic studies indicate that VK supports pancreatic β-cell function, modulates peripheral insulin sensitivity, and facilitates proper calcium distribution. Observational studies consistently associate a higher VK status with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while interventional studies suggest that VK supplementation may improve glucose metabolism, primarily in metabolically impaired populations. In bone and mineral metabolism, VK acts synergistically with calcitriol, with combined supplementation showing more consistent benefits in skeletal outcomes than either vitamin alone. Evidence for VK involvement in other endocrine axes, including reproductive and inflammatory pathways, remains limited and largely mechanistic. Overall, the available evidence supports a context-dependent role for VK in glucose metabolism, influenced by baseline nutritional and metabolic status and outcome selection, as well as a synergistic interaction with calcitriol and parathormone in calcium regulation. Future clinical studies should incorporate baseline VK status stratification, dynamic measures of insulin sensitivity, and adequately powered designs to clarify the therapeutic relevance of VK across endocrine and metabolic outcomes.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and markers of inflammation and metabolic health in pediatric populations. A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Observational and interventional studies evaluating UPF intake or diet-related inflammatory potential in children and adolescents (≤18 years) were included. Outcomes of interest included inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., C-reactive protein, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor-α) and metabolic parameters (e.g., insulin resistance, lipid profile, glucose metabolism). A limited number of studies have directly assessed UPF consumption using the NOVA classification. Overall, these studies suggest a potential association between increased UPF intake and adverse metabolic outcomes, although findings on inflammatory markers remain inconsistent. A larger body of indirect evidence, including studies assessing dietary inflammatory indices and related dietary patterns, consistently supports a link between pro-inflammatory diets and increased inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in pediatric populations. Although direct evidence on UPF consumption remains limited, the available findings, supported by complementary indirect evidence, suggest a plausible relationship between UPF-rich diets, inflammation, and metabolic health in children and adolescents. Further well-designed studies are needed to clarify causality and improve the standardization of dietary assessment methods.

Background/Objectives: Food insecurity affects college students at nearly twice the rate of US households, with documented impacts on student academic performance, physical and mental health, and socialization. While frameworks exist to conceptualize general food insecurity and food insecurity in specific contexts, researchers and practitioners lack resources to guide system-level responses to food insecurity on college and university campuses and assess those responses. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a simple yet comprehensive framework for assessing food insecurity responses within the context of higher education. Methods: We adapted an eight-phase process for framework development: (1) map selected data sources within the multidisciplinary literature, (2) read and categorize selected sources, (3) identify and name concepts, (4) deconstruct and categorize concepts based on their features, (5) group similar concepts together, (6) synthesize concepts into a framework, (7) validate the framework using expert panel review, and (8) revise as necessary. Results: The developed Campus Food Aid Self-assessment (CFAS) framework consists of six dimensions: Student Services and Supports; Involvement; Advocacy; Awareness and Culture Efforts; Education and Training; and Research, Scholarship, and Creative Works. Expert panelists (n = 7) reviewed the proposed framework and confirmed the clarity, comprehensiveness, and representativeness of the proposed dimensions, conceptual definitions, and operational variables. Conclusions: With a comprehensive yet accessible structure, the CFAS framework supports the development, coordination, and improvement of campus-based strategies to address food insecurity and support positive student outcomes.