Development of a gum tragacanth-coated nanoparticle system for controlled release of plant extracts against Erwinia amylovora.

Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a significant threat to fruit crops, with limited biocontrol methods. This study aimed to develop a nanosystem using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with a phenolic plant extract (ZP) derived from Myrtus communis, Thymus vulgaris, and Curcuma longa, and coated with natural biopolymers Gum Tragacanth (GT) and sodium alginate (SA). The MSNs were synthesized and characterized by XRD, FTIR, and TEM, exhibiting a specific surface area of about 750 m/g and an average pore diameter of 5 nm.

Transcranial direct current stimulation combined with cognitive training improves two executive functions: Cognitive flexibility and information updating after traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often causes persistent deficits in cognitive flexibility and information updating. Cognitive flexibility refers to the brain's ability to adjust its thinking and behavior in response to changing circumstances, whereas information updating is the process of incorporating new facts into current knowledge. Both cognitive flexibility and information updating are critical components of executive function, and their impairment can have a major influence on a person's capacity to operate independently and adjust to life's problems following a TBI.

Impact of Melatonin Supplementation on Glycemic Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Several previous studies indicated that melatonin supplementation may positively affect glycemic control in patients with diabetes. However, research on the influence of melatonin supplementation on glycemic parameters remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impacts of melatonin supplementation on glycemic parameters in type 2 diabetes by conducting a meta-analysis.

Predictors of tobacco use among pregnant women: a large-scale, retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate the predictors of smoking among pregnant women in Iran, focusing on health literacy and associated socioeconomic factors.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 103,042 pregnant women aged 18-45 years who attended healthcare centers affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for routine prenatal and postnatal checkups between 2017 and 2020. Data were collected from the Sina Electronic Health Record System (SinaEHR), which recorded sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, and lifestyle behaviors, including tobacco use.