Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and risk ratio (RR) in changes between intervention and placebo groups were calculated.
Furthermore, curcumin supplementation was associated with significant increases in albumin (SMD: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.6, p = 0.004) and alkaline phosphatase levels (SMD: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.8, p = 0.01).
Out of a total of 691 studies screened, seven trials met the inclusion criteria, encompassing data from 571 participants.
Choline concentration and composition in human milk across lactation stages: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Yang M et al. • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2026)
These findings could provide guidance for infant feeding.
The primary analysis of seven studies reporting both TC and WSC showed a pooled TC concentration of 126.2 mg/L (95% CI: 103.7, 148.7), with WSC accounting for 83.3% (76.1%, 90.6%).
The secondary analysis included ten additional studies reporting only WSC, estimating TC at 134.2 mg/L (122.6, 145.8), consistent with the primary analysis (p = 0.507).
Across all studies, TC significantly increased from 71.5 mg/L in colostrum to 152.2 mg/L in transitional milk, then stabilized at 145.0 mg/L in mature milk.
Chlorhexidine vs Povidone-Iodine and Incidence of Catheter-Related Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Drugeon B et al. • JAMA network open (2026)
In this NMA of RCTs, high concentration CHG in isopropyl alcohol was associated with the lowest incidence of CRIs.
Compared with alcoholic PVI, alcoholic CHG was associated with lower CRBSIs (RR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.45 to 1.08]), catheter tip colonizations (RR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.37 to 0.48]), and local infections (RR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.23 to 0.70]).
High concentration CHG (1% or higher) further lowered CRBSIs (RR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.19 to 0.52]) and colonization (RR, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.42]) compared with lower concentrations.
In this NMA of RCTs, high concentration CHG in isopropyl alcohol was associated with the lowest incidence of CRIs.
Comparative Cleansing Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Bowel Preparation Agents in Pediatric Patients: A Network and Proportional Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials
Hsu WT et al. • Digestive diseases and sciences (2026)
Sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate offers the most favorable balance of efficacy, safety, and tolerability for pediatric colonoscopy preparation.
Polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG-3350 or Miralax) demonstrated the highest cleansing efficacy (92.3%).
Other regimens, including PEG-ELS + bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate, PEG-ELS + enema, PEG-ELS + ascorbic acid, and normal saline, also achieved adequate bowel preparation (> 80%) in the proportional meta-analysis; however, the latter two were evaluated in single studies.
Sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate offers the most favorable balance of efficacy, safety, and tolerability for pediatric colonoscopy preparation.
Complex Effects of B-Vitamin Combinations on Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials over Three Decades
Ren R et al. • Nutrients (2026)
Overall, B-vitamin combinations do not confer consistent benefit for major cardiovascular outcomes but may reduce stroke and MACE in selected primary prevention populations, suggesting that baseline cardiovascular risk and regional folic acid fortification modify treatment effects and should guide future trial design and clinical use.
Random-effects models were used in this meta-analysis to calculate pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
B-vitamin combinations were associated with a nonsignificant reduction in stroke and 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (stroke: RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.81-1.04; MACE: RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.01).
No significant effects were observed for all-cause mortality (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.96-1.06), cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.88-1.07), or MI (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91-1.03).
Aminoglycosides, vancomycin, and metronidazole for people with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy
Jeyaraj R et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2026)
Due to low- or very low-certainty evidence, we do not know if aminoglycosides benefit hepatic encephalopathy compared to placebo or other potentially active agents.
Aminoglycosides may increase mortality slightly compared to other potentially active agents (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.62; I² = 0%; 3 studies, 166 participants).
The evidence was also very uncertain when comparing vancomycin to non-absorbable disaccharides (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.26 to 3.40; I² not applicable; 2 studies, 72 participants), and metronidazole to other active agents (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.14 to 6.66; I² = 0%; 3 studies, 242 participants).
Aminoglycosides may slightly increase the risk of serious adverse events compared with other potentially active agents (RR 1.60, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.47; I² = 0%; 3 studies, 166 participants).
Efficacy and safety of boron neutron capture therapy for locally recurrent head and neck cancer
Sun X et al. • Critical reviews in oncology/hematology (2026)
BNCT has shown favorable efficacy and safety in LRHNC.
The ORR was 70 % (95 % CI: 65 %-75 %; P = 0.8187) and the 2-year OS rate was 45 % (95 % CI: 39 %-50 %; P < 0.0001).
The ORR of patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma (NSCC) was higher than those with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (82 % vs. 72 %), while the 2-year OS rates were similar (50 % vs. 49 %).
The most frequent acute AEs included hyperamylasemia (75 %, 95 % CI: 70 %-80 %), alopecia (61 %, 95 % CI: 55 %-67 %), and submandibular gland inflammation (61 %, 95 % CI: 49 %-72 %).
Wu X et al. • Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (2026)
The relationship between caffeine intake and IBD risk varies by region, age, caffeine source, smoking, and education level.
The meta-analysis showed no significant association between caffeine intake and IBD (RR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.68-1.04).
In Americans, caffeine increased UC risk by 68% (RR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.17-2.42).
Age analysis showed caffeine increased IBD risk by 4.52 times in those ≤18 (RR = 4.52, 95% CI = 1.59-12.88) but decreased risk by 7% in those >18 (RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.73-1.18).
Drug delivery and formulation development of hesperidin: a systematic review
Hoang TPN et al. • Expert opinion on drug delivery (2026)
Formulation advances can significantly mitigate hesperidin's biopharmaceutical liabilities, with lipid-based systems, polymeric nanoparticles, and phytosomes emerging as leading strategies.
Formulation advances can significantly mitigate hesperidin's biopharmaceutical liabilities, with lipid-based systems, polymeric nanoparticles, and phytosomes emerging as leading strategies.
Translation will benefit from stability and immunotoxicity packages, quality-by-design manufacturing, and well-designed, adequately powered clinical trials using harmonised pharmacokinetic and clinical endpoints.
Bee products as alternatives in the treatment of viral infections
Otręba M et al. • Journal of the science of food and agriculture (2026)
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
The mechanism of the antiviral effect of these products varies widely depending on the type of product and the virus.
Thus, more in vitro and in vivo studies should be performed to confirm the use of bee products as a safe and promising adjunctive treatment in antiviral therapy.
Krishnan N • Advances in experimental medicine and biology (2026)
The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
On the other hand, neuropeptides such as neuropeptide F, allatostatin-A, corazonin, leukokinin, tachykinins, limostatins, and insulin-like growth factor (ILP6) stimulate lipolysis.
This chapter briefly discusses the current knowledge of the endocrine regulation of lipid metabolism in insects that could be utilized to reveal differences between insects and mammalian lipid metabolism which may help understand human diseases associated with dysregulation of lipid metabolism.
Physiological similarities of insects to mammals make them valuable model systems for studying human diseases characterized by disrupted lipid metabolism, including conditions like diabetes, obesity, arteriosclerosis, and various metabolic syndromes.
Neuroprotection in the age of emerging infections: The untapped power of medicinal mushrooms
Buttacavoli M et al. • Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie (2026)
This review explores for the first time the complex interplay between infections and neurological disorders, highlighting the potential of mushrooms not only as functional foods but also as complem...
This review explores for the first time the complex interplay between infections and neurological disorders, highlighting the potential of mushrooms not only as functional foods but also as complementary allies in safeguarding brain health.
Application of Medicinal Mushrooms for the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Systematic Review
Taib NAB et al. • Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland) (2026)
Conclusions: Despite presenting the potential use of mushrooms in managing PNIs, the existing approaches need to be subjected to clinical research to accelerate the development of future therapeutics and preventive measures for PNIs.
Results: These mushroom-derived treatments enhanced the migration of Schwann cells mainly via the FGF-2 signalling and MAPK pathway.
In vivo studies also revealed the ability of H. erinaceus, A. muscaria, and L. rhinocerotis to promote peripheral nerve repair and functional recovery, with evidence suggesting the role of neurotrophic factors, anti-apoptotic signalling, and pro-inflammatory substances.
H. erinaceus was identified as the most promising for potential clinical applications, given the stronger evidence-based data and its relatively safer components compared to A. muscuria and other mushroom species.
Aquatic collagen for tissue repair: process-structure-function design from sustainable sourcing to clinical translation
Xiong X et al. • Acta biomaterialia (2026)
By benchmarking aquatic versus mammalian collagens and distilling design rules for printable, mineralized and antimicrobial hydrogels/bioinks, we show how waste valorization can reduce environmenta...
By benchmarking aquatic versus mammalian collagens and distilling design rules for printable, mineralized and antimicrobial hydrogels/bioinks, we show how waste valorization can reduce environmental burden while meeting functional demands in wound, musculoskeletal, ocular and cardiac repair.
We also identify standardization gaps-including source variability, purity/endotoxin specifications and batch analytics-and propose practical reporting checklists to improve reproducibility and regulatory readiness.
This review provides a mechanism-anchored, sustainability-first roadmap for translating discarded marine biomass into clinically relevant collagen materials.
Comparison of anti-aging effect of PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinone) and NMN/NR (Nicotinamide mononucleotide /Nicotinamide riboside) - possible combination use
Ulpathakumbura S et al. • Ageing research reviews (2026)
Despite supporting preliminary data and patented formulations, strong scientific evidence encouraging the synergistic anti-aging potential of PQQ and NMN/NR remains limited, highlighting the need f...
Despite supporting preliminary data and patented formulations, strong scientific evidence encouraging the synergistic anti-aging potential of PQQ and NMN/NR remains limited, highlighting the need for robust studies.
Collectively, PQQ and NMN/NR offer distinct complementary strategies to promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases; their combination could offer a more effective approach to enhance healthy aging and longevity.
Protective effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone in CNS disorders
Aboulhassane S et al. • The Journal of nutritional biochemistry (2026)
This review will address the biochemical properties, mechanism of action, and physiological roles of PQQ with a specific focus on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as its role i...
This review will address the biochemical properties, mechanism of action, and physiological roles of PQQ with a specific focus on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as well as its role in enhancing mitochondrial function.
The therapeutic implications of these findings will be discussed, emphasizing PQQ's potential as a novel pharmacological approach for the management of neurological disorders, including its emerging role in cerebral folate deficiency.
Ellagitannins from red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.): a comprehensive review on chemistry characteristics and beneficial effects
Tao M et al. • Food & function (2026)
It aims to provide the food science and nutrition community with an authoritative reference on ellagitannins in red raspberry and to guide their development and application as core ingredients for next-generation functional foods and nutraceuticals.
In red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), ellagitannins constitute the predominant class of polyphenols, accounting for 53-76% of the total polyphenolic content, and their health-promoting potential is becoming increasingly evident.
This review systematically delineates the chemical structures of ellagitannins, extraction and analytical techniques, in vivo metabolic pathways, and their multiple biological activities.
It aims to provide the food science and nutrition community with an authoritative reference on ellagitannins in red raspberry and to guide their development and application as core ingredients for next-generation functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Comprehensive characterization of Rubus idaeus L. Polysaccharides: Extraction, purification, structural diversity, biological efficacy, and structure-activity relationships
Gao S et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2026)
RP is among the key bioactive constituents of Rubus idaeus L.
RP is among the key bioactive constituents of Rubus idaeus L.
This review provides a comprehensive summary of the extraction, isolation, purification, biological activities, and structure-activity relationships of RP, offering valuable reference and support for their applications in pharmaceuticals, food products, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics.