Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estudio de la estabilidad oxidativa de diferentes alimentos lipídicos envasados y su aplicación al desarrollo de envases activos con capacidad antioxidante

In this study, the effect of different cooking processes (blanching, roasting and frying) on the oxidative stability of almonds under normal storage and accelerated oxidation conditions were investigated. Fried almonds showed higher initial linoleic acid content due to oil frying medium migration to the samples. As oxidation time increased, a different trend in fatty acid composition was obtained depending on the oxidation conditions used. Samples processed at high temperatures presented an initial high PV, resulting in an advanced state of oxidation. A simultaneous formation of hydroperoxides and secondary oxidation compounds was observed in samples under normal storage, presenting raw samples the lower PV and AV. Lower values of thermal parameters (DSC and TGA) were obtained with increasing oxidation time at 100 oC. The most abundant volatile compounds (HS-SPME-GC-MS) present in raw almonds were benzaldehyde, 1,3-dimethyl-benzene, 1,2-dimethyl-benzene, styrene, 3-methyl1-butanol, alpha-pinene and limonene; whereas roasted almonds showed Maillard reaction volatiles such as pyrazines, pyrroles and furans; and fried almonds showed compounds derived from frying oil decomposition (trans,cis-2,4decadienal and trans,trans-2,4-decadienal) and higher amounts of aldehydes (hexanal, octanal and nonanal). The generation of hydroperoxides, their degradation and the formation of secondary oxidation products were also investigated by FTIR analysis. The studied techniques used in this chapter can be useful for processors in order to monitor the oxidative degradation of nuts with storage time and to evaluate their acceptance on the market. In particular, the use of DSC, TGA and ATR-FTIR could be suitable for studying the shelf life of processed almonds saving time, which is very precious in quality control.
Elucidation of Melanogenesis-Associated Signaling Pathways Regulated by Argan Press Cake in B16 Melanoma Cells

The beneficial effect on health of argan oil is recognized worldwide. We have previously reported that the cake that remains after argan oil extraction (argan press-cake or APC) inhibits melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells in a time-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. In this study, the global gene expression profile of B16 melanoma cells treated with APC extract was determined in order to gain an understanding of the possible mechanisms of action of APC. The results suggest that APC extract inhibits melanin biosynthesis by down-regulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) and its downstream signaling pathway through JNK signaling activation, and the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin and cAMP/PKA signaling pathways. APC extract also prevented the transport of melanosomes by down-regulating Rab27a expression. These results suggest that APC may be an important natural skin whitening product and pharmacological agent used for clinical treatment of pigmentary disorders.
Analysis of Gender Differences in the Rotational Alignment of the Distal Femur in Kinematically Aligned and Mechanically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty

To compare the angle between the external rotation references of the femoral components in the axial plane by gender and lower limb alignment in Korean patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 1273 patients were imported into a modeling software and segmented to develop three-dimensional femoral bony and cartilaginous models. The surgical transepicondylar axis (sTEA), posterior condylar axis (PCA), the kinematically aligned axis (KAA), and anteroposterior axis were used as rotational references in the axial plane for mechanically aligned (MA) TKA. The relationship among axes were investigated. Among 1273 patients, 942 were female and 331 were male. According to lower limb alignment, the varus and valgus knee groups comprised 848 and 425 patients, respectively. All measurements, except PCA-sTEA, differed significantly between men and women; all measurements, except PCA-sTEA, did not differ significantly between the varus and valgus knee groups. In elderly Korean patients with OA, rotational alignment of the distal femur showed gender differences, but no differences were seen according to lower limb alignment. The concern for malrotation of femoral components during kinematically aligned TKA is less in Koreans than in Caucasians and relatively less in women than in men. In MA TKA, malrotation of the femoral components can be avoided by setting different rotational alignments for the genders.
Native Low-Density Lipoproteins Act in Synergy with Lipopolysaccharide to Alter the Balance of Human Monocyte Subsets and Their Ability to Produce IL-1 Beta, CCR2, and CX3CR1 In Vitro and In Vivo: Implications in Atherogenesis

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhance accumulation of interleukin (IL)-1 beta-producing macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. However, the potential synergistic effect of native LDL (nLDL) and LPS on the inflammatory ability and migration pattern of monocyte subpopulations remains elusive and is examined here. In vitro, whole blood cells from healthy donors (n = 20) were incubated with 100 μg/mL nLDL, 10 ng/mL LPS, or nLDL + LPS for 9 h. Flow cytometry assays revealed that nLDL significantly decreases the classical monocyte (CM) percentage and increases the non-classical monocyte (NCM) subset. While nLDL + LPS significantly increased the number of NCMs expressing IL-1 beta and the C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), the amount of NCMs expressing the CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) decreased. In vivo, patients (n = 85) with serum LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 mg/dL showed an increase in NCM, IL-1 beta, LPS-binding protein (LBP), and Castelli’s atherogenic risk index as compared to controls (n = 65) with optimal LDL-C concentrations (≤100 mg/dL). This work demonstrates for the first time that nLDL acts in synergy with LPS to alter the balance of human monocyte subsets and their ability to produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokine receptors with prominent roles in atherogenesis.
Detection of CTNNB1 Hotspot Mutations in Cell-Free DNA from the Urine of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The beta-catenin gene, CTNNB1, is among the most frequently mutated in HCC tissues. However, mutational analysis of HCC tumors is hampered by the difficulty of obtaining tissue samples using traditional biopsy. Here, we explored the feasibility of detecting tumor-derived CTNNB1 mutations in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) extracted from the urine of HCC patients. Using a short amplicon qPCR assay targeting HCC mutational hotspot CTNNB1 codons 32–37 (exon 3), we detected CTNNB1 mutations in 25% (18/73) of HCC tissues and 24% (15/62) of pre-operative HCC urine samples in two independent cohorts. Among the CTNNB1-mutation-positive patients with available matched pre- and post-operative urine (n = 13), nine showed apparent elimination (n = 7) or severalfold reduction (n = 2) of the mutation in urine following tumor resection. Four of the seven patients with no detectable mutations in postoperative urine remained recurrence-free within five years after surgery. In contrast, all six patients with mutation-positive in post-operative urine recurred, including the two with reduced mutation levels. This is the first report of association between the presence of CTNNB1 mutations in pre- and post-operative urine cfDNA and HCC recurrence with implications for minimum residual disease detection.
Irrational Beliefs and Their Role in Specific and Non-Specific Eating Disorder Symptomatology and Cognitive Reappraisal in Eating Disorders

Background: Research on which specific maladaptive cognitions characterize eating disorders (ED) is lacking. This study explores irrational beliefs (IBs) in ED patients and controls and the association between IBs and ED-specific and non-specific ED symptomatology and cognitive reappraisal. Methods: 79 ED outpatients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or other specified feeding or eating disorders and 95 controls completed the Attitudes and Beliefs Scale-2 (ABS-2) for IBs. ED outpatients also completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) for ED-specific (EDI-3-ED Risk) and non-specific (EDI-3-General Psychological Maladjustment) symptomatology; General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) for general psychopathology; Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) for cognitive reappraisal. Results: Multivariate analysis of variance with post hoc comparisons showed that ED outpatients exhibit greater ABS-2-Awfulizing, ABS-2-Negative Global Evaluations, and ABS-2-Low Frustration Tolerance than controls. No differences emerged between ED diagnoses. According to stepwise linear regression analyses, body mass index (BMI) and ABS-2-Awfulizing predicted greater EDI-3-ED Risk, while ABS-2-Negative Global Evaluations and GHQ predicted greater EDI-3-General Psychological Maladjustment and lower ERQ-Cognitive Reappraisal. Conclusion: Awfulizing and negative global evaluation contribute to better explaining ED-specific and non-specific ED symptoms and cognitive reappraisal. Therefore, including them, together with BMI and general psychopathology, when assessing ED patients and planning cognitive–behavioral treatment is warranted.
DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Catalytic Subunit: The Sensor for DNA Double-Strand Breaks Structurally and Functionally Related to Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is composed of a DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer. DNA-PK is thought to act as the “sensor” for DNA double-stranded breaks (DSB), which are considered the most deleterious type of DNA damage. In particular, DNA-PKcs and Ku are shown to be essential for DSB repair through nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). The phenotypes of animals and human individuals with defective DNA-PKcs or Ku functions indicate their essential roles in these developments, especially in neuronal and immune systems. DNA-PKcs are structurally related to Ataxia–telangiectasia mutated (ATM), which is also implicated in the cellular responses to DSBs. DNA-PKcs and ATM constitute the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-like kinases (PIKKs) family with several other molecules. Here, we review the accumulated knowledge on the functions of DNA-PKcs, mainly based on the phenotypes of DNA-PKcs-deficient cells in animals and human individuals, and also discuss its relationship with ATM in the maintenance of genomic stability.
Preliminary Study on the Expression of Testin, p16 and Ki-67 in the Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers in women worldwide. The 5-year survival rate is 65%; nevertheless, it depends on race, age, and clinical stage. In the oncogenesis of cervical cancer, persistent HPV infection plays a pivotal role. It disrupts the expression of key proteins as Ki-67, p16, involved in regulating the cell cycle. This study aimed to identify the potential role of testin in the diagnosis of cervical precancerous lesions (CIN). The study was performed on selected archival paraffin-embedded specimens of CIN1 (31), CIN2 (75), and CIN3 (123). Moderate positive correlation was observed between testin and Ki-67 as well as testin and p16 expression in all dysplastic lesions (r = 0.4209, r = 0.5681; p < 0.0001 for both). Statistical analysis showed stronger expression of the testin in dysplastic lesions vs. control group (p < 0.0001); moreover, expression was significantly higher in HSIL than LSIL group (p < 0.0024). In addition, a significantly stronger expression of testin was observed in CIN3 vs. CIN1 and CIN3 vs. CIN2. In our study, expression of Ki-67, p16, and testin increased gradually as the lesion progressed from LSIL to HSIL. The three markers complemented each other effectively, which may improve test sensitivity and specificity when used jointly.
Sodium MR Neuroimaging

SUMMARY: Sodium MR imaging has the potential to complement routine proton MR imaging examinations with the goal of improving diagnosis, disease characterization, and clinical monitoring in neurologic diseases. In the past, the utility and exploration of sodium MR imaging as a valuable clinical tool have been limited due to the extremely low MR signal, but with recent improvements in imaging techniques and hardware, sodium MR imaging is on the verge of becoming clinically realistic for conditions that include brain tumors, ischemic stroke, and epilepsy. In this review, we briefly describe the fundamental physics of sodium MR imaging tailored to the neuroradiologist, focusing on the basics necessary to understand factors that play into making sodium MR imaging feasible for clinical settings and describing current controversies in the field. We will also discuss the current state of the field and the potential future clinical uses of sodium MR imaging in the diagnosis, phenotyping, and therapeutic monitoring in neurologic diseases.
Encapsulation Capacity of β-Cyclodextrin Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles towards Creatinine Enhances the Colorimetric Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide in Urine

The β-cyclodextrin shell of synthesized silver nanoparticles (βCD-AgNPs) are found to enhance the detection of hydrogen peroxide in urine when compared to the Horse Radish Peroxidase assay kit. Nanoparticles are confirmed by the UV-Vis absorbance of their localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) at 384 nm. The mean size of the βCD-AgNPs is 53 nm/diameter; XRD analysis shows a face-centered cubic structure. The crystalline structure of type 4H hexagonal nature of the AgNPs with 2.4 nm β-CD coating onto is confirmed using aberration corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). A silver atomic lattice at 2.50 Å and 2.41 Å corresponding to (100) and (101) Miller indices is confirmed using the HRTEM. The scope of βCD-AgNPs to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in aqueous media and human urine is investigated. The test is optimized by examining the effect of volumes of nanoparticles, the pH of the medium, and the kinetic and temperature effect on H2O2 detection. The βCD-AgNPs test is used as a refined protocol, which demonstrated improved sensitivity towards H2O2 in urine compared to the values obtained by the Horse Radish Assay kit. Direct assessment of H2O2 by the βCD-AgNPs test presented always with a linear response in the nM, μM, and mM ranges with a limit of detection of 1.47 nM and a quantitation limit of 3.76 nM. While a linear response obtained from 1.3 to 37.3 nmoles of H2O2/mole creatinine with a slope of 0.0075 and regression coefficient of 0.9955 when the βCD-AgNPs is used as refined test of creatinine. Values ranging from 34.62 ± 0.23 nmoles of H2O2/mole of creatinine and 54.61 ± 1.04 nmoles of H2O2/mole of creatinine when the matrix is not diluted and between 32.16 ± 0.42 nmoles of H2O2/mole of creatinine and 49.66 ± 0.80 nmoles of H2O2/mole of creatinine when the matrix is twice diluted are found in freshly voided urine of seven apparent healthy men aged between 20 and 40 years old.
Influence of Aerobic Fitness on White Matter Integrity and Inhibitory Control in Early Adulthood: A 9-Week Exercise Intervention

Previous cross-sectional studies have related aerobic fitness to inhibitory control and white matter (WM) microstructure in young adults, but there is no longitudinal study to confirm whether these relationships exist. We carried out a longitudinal study comparing aerobic fitness, inhibitory control, and WM integrity across time points, before versus after completing an exercise intervention in young adults (18–20 years old) relative to a control group. The exercise group (n = 35) participated in a 9-week exercise protocol, while the control group (n = 24) did not receive any regular exercise training. Behavioral data and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were collected prior to and following the intervention. After the exercise intervention, aerobic fitness and inhibitory control performance were significantly improved for the exercise group, but not for the control group. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) of the DTI data demonstrated significantly increased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the right corticospinal tract and significantly decreased FA in the left superior fronto-occipital fasciculus in the exercise group after the intervention versus before. The enhanced aerobic fitness induced by exercise was associated with better inhibitory control performance in the incongruent condition and lower FA in the Left superior fronto-occipital fasciculus (SFOF). Regression analysis of a mediation model did not support Left SFOF FA as a mediator of the relationship between improvements in aerobic fitness and inhibitory control. The present data provide new evidence of the relationship between exercise-induced changes in aerobic fitness, WM integrity, and inhibitory control in early adulthood. Longer-duration intervention studies with larger study cohorts are needed to confirm and further explore the findings obtained in this study.
Healthcare Expenditures Associated with Heart Failure in Saudi Arabia: A Cost of Illness Study

Heart failure (HF) is considered to be a global health problem that generates a significant economic burden. Despite the growing prevalence in Saudi Arabia, the economic burden of HF is not well studied. The aim of this study was to estimate the health care expenditures associated with HF in Saudi Arabia from a social perspective. We conducted a multicenter cost of illness (COI) study in two large governmental centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia using 369 HF patients. A COI model was developed in order to estimate the direct medical costs associated with HF. The indirect costs of HF were estimated based on a human capital approach. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed. The direct medical cost per HF patient was $9563. Hospitalization costs were the major driver in total spending, followed by medication and diagnostics costs. The cost significantly increased in line with the disease progression, ranging from $3671 in class I to $16,447 in class IV. The indirect costs per working HF patient were $4628 due to absenteeism, and $6388 due to presenteeism. The economic burden of HF is significantly high in Saudi Arabia. Decision makers need to focus on allocating resources towards strategies that prevent frequent hospitalizations and improve HF management and patient outcomes in order to lower the growing economic burden.
Harnessing the Potential of CRISPR/Cas in Atherosclerosis: Disease Modeling and Therapeutic Applications

Atherosclerosis represents one of the major causes of death globally. The high mortality rates and limitations of current therapeutic modalities have urged researchers to explore potential alternative therapies. The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system is commonly deployed for investigating the genetic aspects of Atherosclerosis. Besides, advances in CRISPR/Cas system has led to extensive options for researchers to study the pathogenesis of this disease. The recent discovery of Cas9 variants, such as dCas9, Cas9n, and xCas9 have been established for various applications, including single base editing, regulation of gene expression, live-cell imaging, epigenetic modification, and genome landscaping. Meanwhile, other Cas proteins, such as Cas12 and Cas13, are gaining popularity for their applications in nucleic acid detection and single-base DNA/RNA modifications. To date, many studies have utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate disease models of atherosclerosis and identify potential molecular targets that are associated with atherosclerosis. These studies provided proof-of-concept evidence which have established the feasibility of implementing the CRISPR/Cas system in correcting disease-causing alleles. The CRISPR/Cas system holds great potential to be developed as a targeted treatment for patients who are suffering from atherosclerosis. This review highlights the advances in CRISPR/Cas systems and their applications in establishing pathogenetic and therapeutic role of specific genes in atherosclerosis.
Application of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) Modified 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxy-succinimide (EDC/NHS) Cross-Linked Collagen Membrane to Promote Macrophage Adhesion

The chemically cross-linking 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxy-succinimide (EDC/NHS) collagen membrane endows such natural polymers with promising mechanical properties. Nevertheless, it is inadequate to advance the modulation of foreign body response (FBR) after implantation or guidance of tissue regeneration. In previous research, macrophages have a strong regulatory effect on regeneration, and such enhanced membranes underwent the modification with Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could adjust the recruitment and phenotypes of macrophages. Accordingly, we develop EGCG-EDC/NHS membranes, prepared with physical immersion, while focusing on the surface morphology through SEM, the biological activity of collagen was determined by FTIR, the activity and adhesion of cell culture in vitro, angiogenesis and monocyte/macrophage recruitment after subcutaneous implantation in vivo, are characterized. It could be concluded that it is hopeful EGCG-EDC/NHS collagen membrane can be used in implant dentistry for it not only retains the advantages of the collagen membrane itself, but also improves cell viability, adhesion, vascularization, and immunoregulation tendency.
Morphological Study of the Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Organs and Arteries in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Hypertension is usually accompanied by the impairment of organs and arteries, and seriously threatens human health. Aerobic exercise can effectively prevent and treat hypertension. However, the mechanism of exercise therapy in hypertension is still unclear. In this study, we explored how aerobic exercise effectively reversed the impairment of the heart, kidney, and arteries caused by hypertension through a pathomorphological perspective. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were subjected to fifteen weeks of 45 min and 90 min swimming training without weight, and we then tested the effect of exercise on the morphology and structure of the heart, kidney, iliac artery, and branch of the mesenteric artery. We found that the myocardial fibers became thinner, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells decreased, and cardiomyocyte edema disappeared after 45 min of aerobic exercise. Additionally, the pathological microstructure of glomeruli and renal tubules were improved. At the same time, aerobic exercise could also reverse the morphology and structure of arteries and mesenteric artery branches in spontaneously hypertensive rats.