Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medium chain triglyceride and medium-and long chain triglyceride: metabolism, production, health impacts and its applications – a review

Abstract Structured lipid is a type of modified form of lipid that is “fabricated” with the purpose to improve the nutritional and functional properties of conventional fats and oils derived from animal and plant sources. Such healthier choice of lipid received escalating attention from the public for its capability to manage the rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Of which, medium-chain triacylglycerol (MCT) and medium-and long-chain triacylglycerol (MLCT) are the few examples of the “new generation” custom-made healthful lipids which are mainly composed of medium chain fatty acid (MCFA). MCT is made up exclusively of MCFA whereas MLCT contains a mixture of MCFA and long chain fatty acid (LCFA), respectively. Attributed by the unique metabolism of MCFA which is rapidly metabolized by the body, MCFA and MCT showed to acquire multiple physiological and functional properties in managing and reversing certain health disorders. Several chemically or enzymatically oils and fats modification processes catalyzed by a biological or chemical catalyst such as acidolysis, interesterification and esterification are adopted to synthesis MCT and MLCT. With their purported health benefits, MCT and MLCT are widely being used as nutraceutical in food and pharmaceutical sectors. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on MCT and MLCT, with an emphasis on the basic understanding of its structures, properties, unique metabolism; the current status of the touted health benefits; latest routes of production; its up-to-date applications in the different food systems; relevant patents filed and its drawbacks
Learned Immobility Produces Enduring Impairment of the HPA Axis Reactivity in Mice without Replicating the Broad Spectrum of Depressive-Like Phenotype

The forced swim stress test (FST) is widely used for screening pharmacological or non-pharmacological strategies with potential antidepressant activities. Recent data have suggested that repeated FST for five consecutive days (i.e., 5d-RFSS) could be used to generate a robust depressive-like phenotype in mice. However, the face, construct, and predictive validities of 5d-RFSS have been recently challenged. This study took advantage of recent findings showing that mice vulnerability to anxiety is enhanced when animals are stressed during the dark phase, to provide new insight into the relevance of this model. Our results showed a progressive increase in time of immobility in 5d-RFSS mice relative to control non-stressed animals (sham). Three weeks later, we noticed that 5d-RFSS mice injected with the vehicle compound (Veh) still exhibited a high level of immobility in the FST whereas this behavior was reversed by the antidepressant drug amitriptyline (AMI). However, 5d-RFSS/Veh and 5d-RFSS mice/AMI mice showed normal performances in the open field, the novelty suppressed feeding and the tail suspension tests. Despite this lack of generalized behavioral deficits, an impairment of different parameters characterizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity was evidenced in 5d-RFSS mice/Veh but not in 5d-RFSS mice/AMI. Despite anomalies in the HPA axis, the activity of the central serotonergic system remained unaffected in 5d-RFSS mice relative to controls. From our results, it is suggested that learned immobility does not replicate the broad spectrum of depressive symptoms observed in other chronic models of depression such as the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model, the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model or chronic corticosterone (CORT) exposure but its influence on the HPA axis is remarkable. Further experiments are warranted to makes this model suitable for modelling depression and therefore refine its translational applicability.
Parallel Recordings of Transmembrane hERG Channel Currents Based on Solvent-Free Lipid Bilayer Microarray

The reconstitution of ion-channel proteins in artificially formed bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) forms a well-defined system for the functional analysis of ion channels and screening of the effects of drugs that act on these proteins. To improve the efficiency of the BLM reconstitution system, we report on a microarray of stable solvent-free BLMs formed in microfabricated silicon (Si) chips, where micro-apertures with well-defined nano- and micro-tapered edges were fabricated. Sixteen micro-wells were manufactured in a chamber made of Teflon®, and the Si chips were individually embedded in the respective wells as a recording site. Typically, 11 to 16 BLMs were simultaneously formed with an average BLM number of 13.1, which corresponded to a formation probability of 82%. Parallel recordings of ion-channel activities from multiple BLMs were successfully demonstrated using the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) potassium channel, of which the relation to arrhythmic side effects following drug treatment is well recognized.
Sensing of the Insecticide Carbofuran Residues by Surface Plasmon Resonance and Immunoassay

The pesticide is raising public interest in the world, because it causes damage to an environmental pollution and the human health remaining agricultural products and an ecosystem, in spite of the advantages. Particularly, each country restricts the residual pesticide and induces observance about the safety and usage standard so that they can control the amount of pesticide used and defend the safety of agricultural products. The habitual practice for the analysis of the residual pesticide depends on GC (gas chromatography), HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) and GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy), which triturate the fixed quantity of samples, abstract and purify as a suitable organic solvent. These methods have the highly efficient in aspects of sensitivity and accuracy. On the other hand, they need the high cost, time consuming, much effort, expensive equipment and the skillful management. Carbofuran is highly toxic by inhalation and ingestion and moderately toxic by dermal absorption. As with other carbamate compounds, it is metabolized in the liver and eventually excreted in the urine. The half-life of carbofuran on crops is about 4 days when applied to roots, and longer than 4 days if applied to the leaves. This research was conducted to develop immunoassay for detecting carbofuran residue quickly on the basis of surface plasmon resonance and to evaluate the measurement sensitivity. Gold chip used was CM5 spreaded dextran on the surface. An applied antibody to Immunoassay was GST (glutathione-s-transferase). The association and the dissociation time were 176 second and 215 second between GST and carbofuran. The total analysis time using surface plasmon resonance was 13 minutes including regeneration time, on the other hand HPLC and GC/MS was 2 hours usually. The minimum detection limit of a permissible amount for carbofuran in the country is 0.1 ppm. The immunoassay method using surface plasmon resonance was 0.002 ppm.
Kinetic model studies of atmospheric droplet chemistry: 2. Homogeneous transition metal chemistry in raindrops

Considerable evidence indicates that dissolved transition metal ions (TMI) are capable of catalyzing oxidations in atmospheric water droplets, at least in certain circumstances. Wide variations in the importance of TMI chemistry are expected in these systems because concentrations of transition metals in water droplets range over at least 4 orders of magnitude. In the present work we perform an extensive series of model calculations for TMI chemistry in raindrops. The specific TMI discussed are iron, manganese, and copper. The present treatment is restricted to homogeneous processes, that is, those involving dissolved molecules and ions. Results are presented for studies at pH 3 and pH 4, for both daytime and nighttime conditions. Among the results are the following: (1) At pH 3 and pH 4, Fe(III) is present largely as photosensitive hydroxide complexes. Our model results indicate that under atmospheric conditions the photolysis of these complexes is the primary daytime source of reactive free radicals within the droplets, even at quite low TMI concentrations. (2) TMI complex photolysis is not, of course, operative at night. At those times the presence of TMI continues to control the concentration of free radicals in raindrops through “Fenton type” reactions with hydrogen peroxide, for example, Fe(II) + H2O2 → Fe(III) + OH + OH−. (3) The oxidation of S(IV) to S(VI) by H2O2 is the most important daytime sulfite oxidation process in raindrops, but S(IV) oxidation catalyzed by Mn(II) can be significant under certain conditions, particularly at night or in the winter months. (4) Solution nitrogen chemistry is relatively unaffected by TMI. Its most important daytime chemical process is the (rather inefficient) photodissociation of the nitrate ion, a process which generates ozone (and hence HOx radicals). (5) Organic chemistry in atmospheric water droplets is very sensitive to the presence of hydroxyl radicals. Since OH· production is strongly influenced by catalysis involving iron complexes, the presence of soluble iron is a major stimulus for organic chemical processes (such as the conversion of alkyl aldehydes to carboxylic acids). (6) For cases where S(IV) concentrations exceed those of H2O2 the S(IV) effectively “titrates out” the H2O2. If the H2O2 concentration dominates, however, residual H2O2 remains to initiate a variety of solution oxidation chains, particularly those producing organic acids. The presence of H2O2 in the gas phase thus implies acid production in the aqueous phase, the form of the acid depending upon the particular oxidizable species available. (7) The chemical reactions and rate constants used in the calculations are relatively well determined, but our results are quite sensitive to the assumed concentrations of TMI and other species. Increased attention to measurement of species concentrations in fog, clouds, and rain is therefore indicated.
Combined Effects of Elevated Temperature and Crude Oil Pollution on Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus, Selenka)

Currently, global climate change and oil pollution are two main environmental concerns for sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) aquaculture. However, no study has been conducted on the combined effects of elevated temperature and oil pollution on sea cucumber. Therefore, in the present study, we treated sea cucumber with elevated temperature (26 °C) alone, water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of Oman crude oil at an optimal temperature of 16 °C, and Oman crude oil WAF at an elevated temperature of 26 °C for 24 h. Results showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and total antioxidant capacity in WAF at 26 °C treatment were higher than that in WAF at 16 °C treatment, as evidenced by 6.03- and 1.31-fold-higher values, respectively. Oxidative damage assessments manifested that WAF at 26 °C treatment caused much severer oxidative damage of the biomacromolecules (including DNA, proteins, and lipids) than 26 °C or WAF at 16 °C treatments did. Moreover, compared to 26 °C or WAF at 16 °C treatments, WAF at 26 °C treatment induced a significant increase in cellular apoptosis by detecting the caspase-3 activity. Our results revealed that co-exposure to elevated temperature and crude oil could simulate higher ROS levels and subsequently cause much severer oxidative damage and cellular apoptosis than crude oil alone on sea cucumber.
Ecotoxicity and Essential Properties of Fine-Recycled Aggregate

This article deals with the possibility of utilization of secondary-raw materials as a natural sand replacement in concrete. Four types of waste construction materials were examined—recycled aggregate from four different sources. The natural aggregate was examined as well as used as the reference sample. All the samples were tested to evaluate the water absorption, particle size distribution, and particle density. The basic chemical reactions in the view of ecotoxicology are investigated and measured based on Czech standards. Chemical analysis, Lemna growth inhibition test, freshwater algae, daphnia acute, and mustard germination toxicity test were made and discussed in this paper. Based on the physical and geometrical properties and ecotoxicology of examined waste materials, this work evaluated them as suitable for utilization in concrete as a sand replacement.
Endoscopic Images by a Single-Shot Multibox Detector for the Identification of Early Cancerous Lesions in the Esophagus: A Pilot Study

Simple Summary Detection of early esophageal cancer is important to improve patient’s survival, but accurate diagnosis of superficial esophageal neoplasms is difficult even for experienced endoscopists. Computer-aided diagnostic system is believed to be an important method to provide accurate and rapid assistance for endoscopists in diagnosing esophageal neoplasms. We developed a single-shot multibox detector using a convolutional neural network for diagnosing esophageal cancer by using endoscopic images and the aim of our study was to assess the ability of our system. Our system showed good diagnostic performance in detecting as well as differentiating esophageal neoplasms and the accuracy can achieve 90%. Differentiating different histological grades of esophageal neoplasm is usually conducted by magnified endoscopy and we confirm that artificial intelligence system has great potential for helping endoscopists in accurately diagnosing superficial esophageal neoplasms without the necessity of magnified endoscopy and experienced endoscopists. Abstract Diagnosis of early esophageal neoplasia, including dysplasia and superficial cancer, is a great challenge for endoscopists. Recently, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) using deep learning in the endoscopic field has made significant advancements in diagnosing gastrointestinal cancers. In the present study, we constructed a single-shot multibox detector using a convolutional neural network for diagnosing different histological grades of esophageal neoplasms and evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of this computer-aided system. A total of 936 endoscopic images were used as training images, and these images included 498 white-light imaging (WLI) and 438 narrow-band imaging (NBI) images. The esophageal neoplasms were divided into three classifications: squamous low-grade dysplasia, squamous high-grade dysplasia, and squamous cell carcinoma, based on pathological diagnosis. This AI system analyzed 264 test images in 10 s, and the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of this system in detecting esophageal neoplasms were 96.2%, 70.4%, and 90.9%, respectively. The accuracy of this AI system in differentiating the histological grade of esophageal neoplasms was 92%. Our system showed better accuracy in diagnosing NBI (95%) than WLI (89%) images. Our results showed the great potential of AI systems in identifying esophageal neoplasms as well as differentiating histological grades.
Micro-homology intermediates: RecA’s transient sampling revealed at the single molecule level

Abstract Recombinase A (RecA) is central to homologous recombination. However, despite significant advances, the mechanism with which RecA is able to orchestrate a search for homology remains elusive. DNA nanostructure-augmented high-speed AFM offers the spatial and temporal resolutions required to study the RecA recombination mechanism directly and at the single molecule level. We present the direct in situ observation of RecA-orchestrated alignment of homologous DNA strands to form a stable recombination product within a supporting DNA nanostructure. We show the existence of subtle and short-lived states in the interaction landscape, which suggests that RecA transiently samples micro-homology at the single RecA monomer-level throughout the search for sequence alignment. These transient interactions form the early steps in the search for sequence homology, prior to the formation of stable pairings at >8 nucleotide seeds. The removal of sequence micro-homology results in the loss of the associated transient sampling at that location.
Preterm birth, mother psychological state and mother- infant bonding.

BACKGROUND The preterm birth represents a stressful situation that can lead to questions about the survival of the child and the possible consequences. AIM To examine the interactions between mothers and premature babies in the neonatal care unit (NCU) and assess the psychological state of the mothers. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted from March to May 2017 in the Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology of the Mongi Slim Hospital (Tunis, Tunisia). Ten mothers of premature babies hospitalized in NCU were involved and responded to the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (cut off≥10) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS The mean age of the mothers was 31 years. A personal history of depression was found in two mothers. The current pregnancy was not desired in three cases, two corresponded to mothers with a history of depression. According to interactions, the median PBQ score was 11. The EPDS median score was six; four mothers had a score greater than 10. A high level on the anxiety sub-scale of the HADS was found in the two mothers who had a personal psychiatric history. The more depressed or anxious the mothers were, the higher the interaction scores (p = 0.012 and p = 0.032, respectively). CONCLUSION Preterm birth seems to affect the psychological state of mothers and their interactions with their baby.
Evaluating Catalytic Fixed‐Bed Reactors for Dry Reforming of Methane with Detailed CFD

A rigorous modeling of catalytic fixed-bed reactors with spherical and non-spherical particles is presented. The spatially resolved randomly distributed particles allow a comprehensive description of the interstitial flow. The detailed fluid dynamics are coupled with a detailed reaction mechanism of the heterogeneous dry reforming of methane (DRM). Three different kinds of particles of typical industrial dimensions are evaluated under characteristic reaction conditions toward conversions and yields of the DRM. It was found that the fixed bed consisting of cylindrical particles shows the highest conversions and yields. On the contrary, the one-hole cylinder packing exhibits a low performance. With this modeling transport phenomena inside fixed beds can be fully addressed and finally, a substantial quantitative comparison between different packings is possible.
High performance membranes based on ionic liquid polymers for CO2 separation from the flue gas

Three vinyl functionalized imidazolium based room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs): 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium dicyanamide ([veim][dca]), 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium dicyanamide ([vbim][dca]) and 1-vinyl-3-heptylimidazolium dicyanamide ([vhim][dca]) were synthesized and UV-polymerized to form free standing membranes. The pure gas permeabilities of CO2 and N2 of these newly developed membranes acquired at 1 atm 35 °C increased with an increase in the number of N-alkyl group in the monomers but their ideal CO2–N2 selectivities decreased. The three vinyl functionalized monomers were blended with three free RTILs: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([emim][dca]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetracyanoborate ([emim][B(CN)4]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([emim][BF4]) and subsequently subjected to UV-polymerization to form the poly(RTIL)–RTIL composite membranes. The incorporation of free RTILs not only significantly increases the CO2 permeability but also greatly improves the CO2–N2 selectivity. The best separation performance is achieved for the poly([vbim][dca])–[emim][B(CN)4] (1 : 2) and poly([vbim][dca])–[emim][dca] (1 : 2) composite membranes, which have CO2 permeabilities of 340 and 273 barrers and CO2–N2 selectivities of 42 and 53, respectively, at 1 atm 35 °C. The mixed gas permeabilities of these two composite membranes are 297 and 253.5 barrers with corresponding CO2–N2 selectivities of 38.8 and 50.6, respectively, using a 50 : 50 CO2–N2 mixed gas at 2 atm 35 °C. These two composite membranes have separation performance very close to the 2008 “Robeson Upper Bound”, suggesting their potential for industrial applications, especially for the post-combustion flue gas treatment.
Serum sclerostin is negatively associated with insulin sensitivity in obese but not lean women

Objective The mechanisms underlying the development of peripheral insulin resistance are complex. Several studies have linked sclerostin, an osteocyte-derived inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, to obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether serum sclerostin is associated with insulin sensitivity in lean and/or obese women; and (2) whether hyperinsulinaemia affects serum sclerostin concentrations. Design A cross-sectional study. Methods Insulin sensitivity was measured in lean (BMI < 25 kg/m2) and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) women using a hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp. Serum sclerostin was measured at baseline and during the clamp procedure. Results We studied 21 lean and 22 obese women with a median age of 40 and 43 years and a median BMI of 22.4 and 33.5 kg/m2, respectively. Obese women had higher serum sclerostin than lean women (122 ± 33 vs 93 ± 33 nmol/L, P < 0.01). Higher serum sclerostin was associated with lower insulin sensitivity in obese, but not in lean individuals (difference in M-value between highest and lowest quartile: −7.02 mg/kg/min, P = 0.03 and 1.59 mg/kg/min, P = 0.50, respectively). Hyperinsulinaemia did not affect serum sclerostin in lean nor obese women (P > 0.5). Conclusion Serum sclerostin is negatively associated with insulin sensitivity as measured with the hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp in obese, but not lean women. This indicates a potential role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in regulating insulin sensitivity particularly in obese individuals. Our findings remain hypothesis-generating and should be confirmed by additional studies.
Effects of Combined Exercise and Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet Interventions on Waist Circumference and Triglycerides in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of combined exercise and low carbohydrate ketogenic diet interventions (CELCKD) for overweight and obese individuals. (2) Methods: Relevant studies were searched by using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to October 2020. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria were reporting effects of the CELCKD for overweight and obese individuals from randomized controlled trials. Studies that did not match the inclusion criteria were excluded. The methods for CELCKD and outcomes of selected studies were extracted. The effect sizes for interventions that included cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles were calculated by using the standardized mean difference statistic. (3) Results: A total of seven studies and 278 overweight and obese individuals were included. The average intervention of selected studies consisted of moderate to vigorous intensity, 4 times per week for 9.2 weeks. Participating in CELCKD interventions was decreased triglycerides (d = −0.34, CI; −0.68–−0.01, p = 0.04) and waist circumference (d = −0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]; −1.28–−1.20, p = 0.01), while cardiovascular fitness, body composition, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were not statistically different after the interventions. No adverse side effects were reported. (4) Conclusions: Participation in interventions by overweight and obese individuals had beneficial effects including decreased waist circumference and triglycerides. Longer term intervention studies with homogenous control groups may be needed.