Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Whey Protein Hydrolysate and Pumpkin Pectin as Nutraceutical and Prebiotic Components in a Functional Mousse with Antihypertensive and Bifidogenic Properties

Systematical consumption of functional products has a significant positive effect on health and can reduce the risk of diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) and pumpkin pectin as ingredients in a functional mousse, to evaluate the mousse’s antioxidant and hypotensive activities in vitro, and to evaluate the effect of the long-term intake of mousse samples on the progression of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and on the microbiome status in Wistar rats with antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. The experimental mousse’s in vitro antioxidant activity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) increased by 1.2 times. The hypotensive (angiotensin-1-converting enzyme inhibitory) activity increased by 6 times in comparison with a commercial mousse. Moreover, the addition of pectin allowed the elimination of the bitter aftertaste of WPH. In vivo testing confirmed the hypotensive properties of the experimental mousse. The systolic blood pressure in SHRs decreased by 18 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 12 mmHg. The experimental mousse also showed a pronounced bifidogenic effect. The Bifidobacterium spp. population increased by 3.7 times in rats orally administered with the experimental mousse. The results of these studies confirm that WPH and pumpkin pectin are prospective ingredients for the development of functional mousses.
Personalized hip joint kinetics during deep squatting in young, athletic adults

Abstract The goal of this study was to report deep squat hip kinetics in young, athletic adults using a personalized numerical model solution based on inverse dynamics. Thirty-five healthy subjects underwent deep squat motion capture acquisitions and MRI scans of the lower extremities. Musculoskeletal models were personalized using each subject’s lower limb anatomy. The average peak hip joint reaction force was 274 percent bodyweight. Average peak hip and knee flexion angles were 107° and 112° respectively. These new findings show that deep squatting kinetics in the younger population differ substantially from the previously reported in vivo data in older subjects.
Efficacy Of Silicone Gel In Reducing Scar Formation After Hypospadias Repair: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital disorders of the urogenital system that is repaired by surgical method. Literature review shows that silicone gel is effective in preventing and improving hypertrophic scars after surgery. Thus, we conducted this study to evaluate the effect of silicone gel on scar reduction after surgical repair of hypospadias. Materials and methods In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, 64 patients who had undergone surgical repair of hypospadias were divided into two groups: 32 patients in the intervention group (silicone gel) and 32 in the control group (placebo). Then, the patients in the silicone gel treatment group were treated twice per day for two months on the site of surgical wound, and the patients in the control group were treated with Vaseline twice per day for two months on the site of surgical wound, too. Scar characteristics (pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and height) were recorded based on Vancouver’s scars scale. Finally, the results of the two treatments on reduction of scars after surgical repair were compared between the two groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS-24. Results There were significant differences between the two groups in scar characteristics after surgical repair of hypospadias, such as vascularity, pliability, and height (P˂0.05); however, there was no significant difference in pigmentation (P>0.05). Conclusion The results of this study showed that silicone gel had considerable effects on reduction of scars after surgical repair of hypospadias. However, further studies with larger sample size are recommended to confirm our conclusion.
Profiling the Oral Microbiome and Plasma Biochemistry of Obese Hyperglycemic Subjects in Qatar

The present study is designed to compare demographic characteristics, plasma biochemistry, and the oral microbiome in obese (N = 37) and lean control (N = 36) subjects enrolled at Qatar Biobank, Qatar. Plasma hormones, enzymes, and lipid profiles were analyzed at Hamad Medical Cooperation Diagnostic Laboratory. Saliva microbiome characterization was carried out by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing using Illumina MiSeq platform. Obese subjects had higher testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations compared to the control group. A negative association between BMI and testosterone (p < 0.001, r = −0.64) and SHBG (p < 0.001, r = −0.34) was observed. Irrespective of the study groups, the oral microbiome was predominantly occupied by Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Veillonella species. A generalized linear model revealed that the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (2.25 ± 1.83 vs. 1.76 ± 0.58; corrected p-value = 0.04) was higher, and phylum Fusobacteria concentration (4.5 ± 3.0 vs. 6.2 ± 4.3; corrected p-value = 0.05) was low in the obese group compared with the control group. However, no differences in microbiome diversity were observed between the two groups as evaluated by alpha (Kruskal–Wallis p ≥ 0.78) and beta (PERMANOVA p = 0.37) diversity indexes. Certain bacterial phyla (Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes) were positively associated (p = 0.05, r ≤ +0.5) with estradiol, fast food consumption, creatinine, breastfed during infancy, triglycerides, and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations. In conclusion, no differences in oral microbiome diversity were observed between the studied groups. However, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a recognized obesogenic microbiome trait, was higher in the obese subjects. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings in a larger cohort.
Outcomes of Overlapping Surgery in Otolaryngology

Objective To compare outcomes in otolaryngology between overlapping and nonoverlapping surgeries. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods All patients undergoing otolaryngologic procedures at Stanford University Hospital between January 2009 and June 2016 were included (n = 13,479). Cases were divided into 2 cohorts: overlapping (n = 1806, 13.4%) vs nonoverlapping (n = 11,673, 86.6%). Variables reviewed were type of operation performed, multidisciplinary team involvement, complications, reoperations, readmissions, and deaths. Results The total complication rate over 7.5 years studied was 3.3% (n = 450). Complication rates were lower for overlapping cases (0.77%) compared to nonoverlapping cases (3.73%) with an odds ratio of 0.2014, which was statistically significant (P < .0001). When examined by subspecialty, the complication rate for rhinology and endoscopic skull base procedures was approximately 10 times lower when overlapping (0.30%) was compared to nonoverlapping (3.15%), with an odds ratio of 0.094 (P = .0001). There was no difference in complication rates for other surgical subspecialties. There were no deaths associated with overlapping surgery. The rate of major complications requiring reoperation was similarly lower for overlapping procedures (0.276%) compared to nonoverlapping procedures (1.35%) with an odds ratio of 0.2023 (P = .0004). Readmission rates were lower for overlapping cases (0.49%) when compared to nonoverlapping cases (1.09%), with an odds ratio of 0.4553 (P = .0229). Conclusions Patients undergoing overlapping surgery had lower overall complication rates, lower reoperation rates, lower readmission rates, and no mortalities. The institutional experience presented provides evidence that with appropriate patient and case selection, otolaryngologists may safely perform overlapping surgery without increased risk of adverse patient outcomes.
Psychometric Characteristics of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale in the Context of Physical Activity in Nature

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale applied to different contexts for initial or original use, such as in the context of physical activity in nature. In order to do this, we carried out a study at some primary and secondary schools located in western Andalucía (Spain), with students aged 9–12 years old (M = 11.22; SD = 1.07). Therefore, a sample of 206 students in Study 1 (98 boys = 47.8%; 107 girls = 52.2%) and 455 students in Study 2 (228 boys = 50.1% 227 girls = 49.9%) was used. The students of the two groups that belong to the study created a program related to Physical Activity in Nature. Descriptive, exploratory, and confirmatory analyses were conducted. We also analyzed several other factors, such as internal consistency, composite reliability, average extracted variance, and convergent validity. Afterward, differences according to gender and school year were also studied. The data showed the need to eliminate many of the items from the original scale, giving, as a result, a model of six items that satisfactorily fit into the confirmatory analysis for the use of physical activity in nature. The ANOVA statistical test, used to analyze sex and school year, did not show any tangible differences between the target groups. Thanks to its application, we note that the PACES instrument cannot be applied as-is; some items must be removed or modified. Therefore, we must obtain a new, more specific instrument for these types of incipient practices undertaken in natural environments.
An Investigation of the Side Effects, Patient Feedback, and Physiological Changes Associated with Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with high cure rates provides an opportunity to reduce the rising HCV disease burden. However, few studies have explored the side effects and physiological benefits of DAA therapy in rural areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the subjective reports of discomfort, patient feedback about the course of treatment, and physiological changes after DAA treatment in HCV patients. Methods: A descriptive, prospective, comparative cohort study was conducted from January to August 2019 in western coastal Yunlin County, Taiwan. Data regarding demographic characteristics, subjective discomfort levels, and physiological responses were collected through face to face interviews and from medical records by a cooperating hospital. Results: Six-hundred-and-twenty-three participants with an active HCV infection were identified; 555 (89.1%) had completed treatment, and sustained virologic response was achieved in 99.6% (n = 553). The mean age was 64.9 (standard deviation = 13.1) years, and 35% of patients experienced discomfort during DAA treatment, including fatigue, itching, and dizziness. After three months of treatment, physiological markers, including body weight (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.05), blood pressure (p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.001), and aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.001), had significantly improved. Almost all participants provided positive feedback about the treatment experience and reported manageable side effects. Conclusions: The findings showed that, in an endemic rural area, DAA treatment had a high cure rate and improved physiological markers with few discomforts. These results can be used to reduce the barriers HCV patients face in adopting new medications.
Experimental Demonstration of Reservoir Competence of the White-Footed Mouse, Peromyscus leucopus (Rodentia: Cricetidae), for the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia mayonii (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae)

Abstract The white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque), is a reservoir for the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto in the eastern half of the United States, where the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), is the primary vector. In the Midwest, an additional Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia mayonii, was recorded from naturally infected I. scapularis and P. leucopus. However, an experimental demonstration of reservoir competence was lacking for a natural tick host. We therefore experimentally infected P. leucopus with B. mayonii via I. scapularis nymphal bites and then fed uninfected larvae on the mice to demonstrate spirochete acquisition and passage to resulting nymphs. Of 23 mice fed on by B. mayonii-infected nymphs, 21 (91%) developed active infections. The infection prevalence for nymphs fed as larvae on these infected mice 4 wk post-infection ranged from 56 to 98%, and the overall infection prevalence for 842 nymphs across all 21 P. leucopus was 75% (95% confidence interval, 72–77%). To assess duration of infectivity, 10 of the P. leucopus were reinfested with uninfected larval ticks 12 wk after the mice were infected. The overall infection prevalence for 480 nymphs across all 10 P. leucopus at the 12-wk time point was 26% (95% confidence interval, 23–31%), when compared with 76% (95% confidence interval, 71–79%) for 474 nymphs from the same subset of 10 mice at the 4-wk time point. We conclude that P. leucopus is susceptible to infection with B. mayonii via bite by I. scapularis nymphs and an efficient reservoir for this Lyme disease spirochete.
Monitoring the Fate of Orally Administered PLGA Nanoformulation for Local Delivery of Therapeutic Drugs

One of the goals of the pharmaceutical sciences is the amelioration of targeted drug delivery. In this context, nanocarrier-dependent transportation represents an ideal method for confronting a broad range of human disorders. In this study, we investigated the possibility of improving the selective release of the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) in the gastro-intestinal tract by encapsulating it into the biodegradable nanoparticles made by FDA-approved poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and coated with polyethylene glycol to improve their stability (PLGA-PEG-NPs). Our study was performed by combining the synthesis and characterization of the nanodrug with in vivo studies of pharmacokinetics after oral administration in mice. Moreover, fluorescent PLGA-nanoparticles (NPs), were tested both in vitro and in vivo to observe their fate and biodistribution. Our study demonstrated that PLGA-NPs: (1) are stable in the gastric tract; (2) can easily penetrate inside carcinoma colon 2 (CaCo2) cells; (3) reduce the PTX absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, further limiting systemic exposure; (4) enable PTX local targeting. At present, the oral administration of biodegradable nanocarriers is limited because of stomach degradation and the sink effect played by the duodenum. Our findings, however, exhibit promising evidence towards our overcoming these limitations for a more specific and safer strategy against gastrointestinal disorders.
Effects of different catheter replacement methods on catheter service time and complications in hemodialysis patients: A cohort study

Introduction: Central venous catheter insertion for long-term vascular access is not recommended in clinical practice. However, since arteriovenous fistula creation is difficult to perform in some patients, central venous catheter insertion for long-term vascular access is performed. This study aimed to assess the complications and service time of central venous catheters replaced using different methods and to determine the influencing factors of service time. Methods: Study design: A retrospective observational cohort study. Setting and participants: Patients who underwent tunneled dialysis catheter malfunction (2009–2019) and had to undergo another dialysis catheter insertion were enrolled. Exposures: Ectopic replacement and in situ replacement. Outcomes: Factors such as age, sex, primary patency rate, secondary patency rate, early complications, and late complications were considered. Analytical approach: This study used a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: The first and the newly replaced catheter service time were 37.779 ± 24.563 months and 32.468 ± 26.638 (25) months in the ectopic group and 37.075 ± 20.550 months and 26.349 ± 22.672 months in the in situ group, respectively. In the early service time, the newly replaced catheter resulted in significant bleeding from the tunnel. The first catheter had the least complications, most adequate blood flow, and longest service time. Ectopic catheter replacement and the tip shape of the catheter were the independent factors for catheter service time. Catheter service time increased with age. Conclusion: Ectopic catheter replacement can improve the primary patency rate and auxiliary primary patency rate of catheters. Ectopic catheter replacement may require sufficient surgical skills with digital subtraction angiography, resulting in a better prognosis.
Basis of PD1/PD-L1 Therapies

It is obvious that tumor cells have developed a number of strategies to escape immune surveillance including an altered expression of various immune checkpoints, such as the programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1) and its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. The interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 results in an activation of self-tolerance pathways in both immune cells as well as tumor cells. Thus, these molecules represent excellent targets for T cell-based immunotherapies. However, the efficacy of therapies using checkpoint inhibitors is variable and only a limited number of patients receive a long-term response, while others develop resistances. Therefore, a better insight into the constitutive expression levels and their control as well as the predictive and prognostic value of PD-1/PD-L1, which are controversially discussed due to the methodological assessment, the dynamic and time-related variable expression of these molecules, is urgently required. In this review, the current knowledge of the PD-L1 and PD-1 genes, their expression in immune and tumor cells, the underlying molecular mechanisms of their regulation and their association with clinical parameters and therapy responses are summarized.
Dengue virus reduces AGPAT1 expression to alter phospholipids and enhance infection in Aedes aegypti

More than half of the world population is at risk of dengue virus (DENV) infection because of the global distribution of its mosquito vectors. DENV is an envelope virus that relies on host lipid membranes for its life-cycle. Here, we characterized how DENV hijacks the mosquito lipidome to identify targets for novel transmission-blocking interventions. To describe metabolic changes throughout the mosquito DENV cycle, we deployed a Liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) workflow including spectral similarity annotation in cells, midguts and whole mosquitoes at different times post infection. We revealed a major aminophospholipid reconfiguration with an overall early increase, followed by a reduction later in the cycle. We phylogenetically characterized acylglycerolphosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT) enzyme isoforms to identify those that catalyze a rate-limiting step in phospholipid biogenesis, the acylation of lysophosphatidate to phosphatidate. We showed that DENV infection decreased AGPAT1, but did not alter AGPAT2 expression in cells, midguts and mosquitoes. Depletion of either AGPAT1 or AGPAT2 increased aminophospholipids and partially recapitulated DENV-induced reconfiguration before infection in vitro. However, only AGPAT1 depletion promoted infection by maintaining high aminophospholipid concentrations. In mosquitoes, AGPAT1 depletion also partially recapitulated DENV-induced aminophospholipid increase before infection and enhanced infection by maintaining high aminophospholipid concentrations. These results indicate that DENV inhibition of AGPAT1 expression promotes infection by increasing aminophospholipids, as observed in the mosquito’s early DENV cycle. Furthermore, in AGPAT1-depleted mosquitoes, we showed that enhanced infection was associated with increased consumption/redirection of aminophospholipids. Our study suggests that DENV regulates aminophospholipids, especially phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, by inhibiting AGPAT1 expression to increase aminophospholipid availability for virus multiplication.
Comment on “Cutting Edge: Role of MASP-3 in the Physiological Activation of Factor D of the Alternative Complement Pathway”

W e read with great interest the article byHayashi et al. (1), in which the authors report the generation of two new mouse strains, specifically deficient in MASP-1 or MASP-3. In their study, the authors demonstrated in mice that MASP-1 is indispensable for lectin pathway activation, and MASP-3 is responsible for proteolytic processing of zymogen FD (pro-FD) to FD, the initiating protease of the alternative pathway. The authors’ findings in these mouse models are in perfect agreement with our previous results obtained with human whole blood, plasma, and serum samples using specific human MASP-1, MASP-2, and MASP-3 inhibitors developed by directed evolution (2, 3). In our prior studies, we showed that a monospecific MASP-1 inhibitor completely prevented lectin pathway activation (2). Using a specific MASP-3 inhibitor, we also demonstrated that MASP-3 is the exclusive activator of pro-FD in resting human blood (3). A publication by another research group also highlighted the important role of MASP-3 in pro-FD activation (4). The only apparent difference between the previous human results and the new mouse results is the role of MASP-1 in LPS-driven alternative pathway activation (5). In this respect, the mouse and the human complement systems might be different, but not necessarily at the level of MASP-1 (6–8). In all, by comparing our and other previous human results with the new mouse results of Hayashi et al. (1), we conclude that the major functions of MASP-1 and MASP-3 have been conserved during mammalian evolution, although minor species-specific differences may exist.
Density of Green Spaces and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the City of Madrid: The Heart Healthy Hoods Study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the density of green spaces at different buffer sizes (300, 500, 1000 and 1500 m) and cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes) as well as to study if the relationship is different for males and females. We conducted cross-sectional analyses using the baseline measures of the Heart Healthy Hoods study (N = 1625). We obtained data on the outcomes from clinical diagnoses, as well as anthropometric and blood sample measures. Exposure data on green spaces density at different buffer sizes were derived from the land cover distribution map of Madrid. Results showed an association between the density of green spaces within 300 and 500 m buffers with high cholesterol and diabetes, and an association between the density of green spaces within 1500 m buffer with hypertension. However, all of these associations were significant only in women. Study results, along with other evidence, may help policy-makers creating healthier environments that could reduce cardiovascular disease burden and reduce gender health inequities. Further research should investigate the specific mechanisms behind the differences by gender and buffer size of the relationship between green spaces and cardiovascular risk factors.