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Pierfrancesco Morganti,1 Paolo Palombo,2 Marco Palombo,3 Giuseppe Fabrizi,4 Antonio Cardillo,5 Fabiano Svolacchia,5 Luis Guevara,6 Paolo Mezzana71Department of Applied Cosmetic Dermatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; 2Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Saint Eugenio Hospital, Rome, Italy; 3Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, CTO Hospital, Rome, Italy; 4Department of Dermatology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; 5Centre of Nanoscience, Mavi Sud, Aprilia, Italy; 6Hospimedical, Pyrmont, Australia; 7IRCCS GB Bietti Eye Foundation, Rome, ItalyBackground: The reduction of mortality worldwide has led older individuals to seek intervention modalities to improve their appearance and reverse signs of aging.Objective: We formulated a medical device as innovative block-polymer nanoparticles based on phosphatidylcholine, hyaluronan, and chitin nanofibrils entrapping amino acids, vitamins, and melatonin.Methods: Viability and collagen synthesis were controlled on fibroblasts ex vivo culture while adenosine triphosphate production was evaluated on keratinocytes culture. Subjective and objective evaluations were performed in vivo on selected volunteer patients.Results: In accordance with our previous studies, both the in vitro and in vivo obtained results demonstrate the efficacy of the injected block-polymer nanoparticles in reducing skin wrinkling and ameliorating the signs of aging.Keywords: antiaging agent, scar correction, stretch marks, signaling molecules, photoaging, biostimulation

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a chronic liver disease without an approved therapy, is associated with lipotoxicity and insulin resistance and is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aramchol, a partial inhibitor of hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) improved steatohepatitis and fibrosis in rodents and reduced steatosis in an early clinical trial. ARREST, a 52-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial randomized 247 patients with NASH (n = 101, n = 98 and n = 48 in the Aramchol 400 mg, 600 mg and placebo arms, respectively; NCT02279524). The primary end point was a decrease in hepatic triglycerides by magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 52 weeks with a dose of 600 mg of Aramchol. Key secondary end points included liver histology and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Aramchol 600 mg produced a placebo-corrected decrease in liver triglycerides without meeting the prespecified significance (-3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.4 to 0.2, P = 0.066), precluding further formal statistical analysis. NASH resolution without worsening fibrosis was achieved in 16.7% (13 out of 78) of Aramchol 600 mg versus 5% (2 out of 40) of the placebo arm (odds ratio (OR) = 4.74, 95% CI = 0.99 to 22.7) and fibrosis improvement by [greater than or equal to]1 stage without worsening NASH in 29.5% versus 17.5% (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 0.7 to 5.0), respectively. The placebo-corrected decrease in ALT for 600 mg was -29.1 IU l.sup.-1 (95% CI = -41.6 to -16.5). Early termination due to adverse events (AEs) was In a phase 2b study, inhibition of hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis was safe and tolerated; although reductions in liver fat were not significant, changes in liver enzymes and histology were observed., Author(s): V. Ratziu [sup.1] , L. de Guevara [sup.2] , R. Safadi [sup.3] , F. Poordad [sup.4] , F. Fuster [sup.5] , J. Flores-Figueroa [sup.6] , M. Arrese [sup.7] , [...]

The exhaust gases expelled from the tailpipe during the transit of the buses are composed by different pollutants, each of them dangerous to the human health in different ways. Self-pollution has been detected as a phenomenon related with the passengers exposition to pollutants inside transport buses during their travels. The emissions from the tailpipe make their way to the cabin of the bus, exposing the passengers to toxic gases and particulate matter during the whole time of the trip they are making. The quantitative and detailed modeling of the pollutants in-cabin is important due to the sensitive nature of the children population to respiratory disease related to air pollution. This study assesses self-pollution in school buses using CFD modeling, this is achieved by simulating the dispersion of a tracer gas Sulfur Hexa-Fluoride (SF6) inside and outside the bus. Two previous studies datasets were used to validate the CFD model performance, and accuracy in its capacity to quantitatively describe the phenomenon. The CFD model developed and validated considered the turbulence through the k-epsilon realizable model. The system was considered as a multicomponent single-eulerian-phase flow with the “species to transport” model. Transient formulation and energy were implemented. Mesh was optimized to polyhedral elements, reducing considerably the simulation time by 35%, and mesh size to 25%. The model was able to determine the behavior of the tailpipe emissions and the self-pollution phenomenon into the bus, showing that the highest concentrations (and therefore the maximum exposure) are located in the rear part of the bus. Validation of the CFD results with previous experimental measures and modeling results, reported in two previous studies, determined an error of 12% and 17% for the concentrations outside and inside the bus respectively, correlation coefficient (R2) values between 0.5 and 0.9 were obtained between CFD results for SF6 concentrations and validation dataset.

The microbial safety and stability of minimally processed foods are based on the application of combined preservative factors. Since microorganisms are able to develop adaptive networks to survive under conditions of stress, food safety may be affected, and therefore understanding of stress adaptive mechanisms plays a key role in designing safe food processing conditions. In the present study, the viability and the sublethal injury of Listeria monocytogenes exposed to moderate heat (55°C) and/or essential oil compounds (carvacrol and thymol, 0.3 mM) treatments were studied. Synergistic effects were obtained when combining mild heat (55°C) with one or both essential oil compounds, leading to inactivation kinetics values three to four times lower than when using heat alone. All the treatments applied caused some injury in the population. The injury levels ranged from around 20% of the surviving population under the mildest conditions to more than 99.99% under the most stringent conditions. Protein extracts of cells exposed to these treatments were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results obtained revealed that stressed cells exhibited differential protein expression to control cells. The proteins upregulated under these stressing conditions were implicated, among other functions, in stress response, metabolism, and protein refolding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of heterogeneous catalytic processes is highly desirable in order to overcome some drawbacks of homogeneous catalysts, such as the separation and recycling of these catalysts. In this work, we report that Jacobsen type catalysts are efficient and selective for the oxidation of R-(+)-limonene to its corresponding diepoxides using in situ generated dimethyldioxirane (DMD) as oxidant. It was demonstrated that the solid NaHCO3 addition to the initial reaction mixture, improves the catalytic activity. Additionally, catalyst samples can be recovered and reused at least twice without significant loss of its initial catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background GIDEON (Global Investigation of therapeutic DEcisions in hepatocellular carcinoma [ HCC] and Of its treatment with sorafeNib) is a global, prospective, non-interventional study undertaken to evaluate the safety of sorafenib in patients with unresectable HCC in real-life practice, including Child-Pugh B patients who were excluded from clinical trials. Methods Patients with unresectable HCC, for whom the decision to treat with sorafenib, based on the approved label and prescribing guidelines, had been taken by their physician, were eligible for inclusion. Demographic data and disease/medical history were recorded at entry. Sorafenib dosing and adverse events (AEs) were collected at follow-up visits. The second interim analysis was undertaken when ~1500 treated patients were followed up for ≥ 4 months. Results Of the 1571 patients evaluable for safety, 61% had Child-Pugh A status and 23% Child-Pugh B. The majority of patients (74%) received the approved 800 mg initial sorafenib dose, regardless of Child-Pugh status; however, median duration of therapy was shorter in Child-Pugh B patients. The majority of drug-related AEs were grade 1 or 2, and the most commonly reported were consistent with previous reports. The incidence and nature of drug-related AEs were broadly similar across Child-Pugh, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) and initial dosing subgroups, and consistent with the overall population. Conclusions Consistent with the first interim analysis, overall safety profile and dosing strategy are similar across Child-Pugh subgroups. Safety findings also appear comparable irrespective of initial sorafenib dose or BCLC stage. Final analyses in > 3000 patients are ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction, development and maintenance of an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable campus involves the integration of measuring tools and technical information that invites and encourages the community to know the actual state to generate positive actions for reducing the negative impacts over the local environment. At the Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Campus Bogotá, a public area with daily traffic of more than 25000 people, the Environmental Management Bureau has committed with the monitoring of the noise pollution and air quality, as support to the campaigns aiming to reduce the pollutant emissions associated to the student’s activities and campus operation. The target of this study is based in the implementation of mobile air quality and sonometry monitoring equipment, the mapping of the actual air quality and noise pollution inside the university campus as a novel methodology for a sub-area inside a megacity. This results and mapping are proposed as planning tool for the institution administrative sections. A mobile Kunak Air & OPC air monitoring station with the capability to measure particulate matter PM10, PM2.5, Ozone (O3), Sulfur Oxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Oxide (NO2) as well as Temperature, Relative Humidity and Latitude and Longitude coordinates for the data georeferenciation; and a sonometer Cirrus 162B Class 2 were used to perform the measurements. The measurements took place in conditions of academic activity and without it, with the aim of identify the impacts generated by the campus operation. Using the free code geographical information software QGIS 2.18, the maps of each variable measured were developed, and the impacts generated by the operation of the campus were identified qualitative and quantitively. For the measured variables, an increase of around 21% for the LAeq noise level and around 80% to 90% for air pollution were detected during the operation period.

Abstract: The antimicrobial properties of oregano, rosemary and laurel extracts obtained by supercritical fluid extraction were investigated by examining their influence on the growth and viability of Listeria monocytogenes in laboratory medium and broccoli juice at 30 and 8°C. Important decreases in the L. monocytogenes population were shown in presence of all the extracts obtained from rosemary and one oregano extract. The counts were reduced below the level of detection after 4h of exposure at 30°C in laboratory medium. A bactericidal effect was observed also when L. monocytogenes was exposed to rosemary at 30°C and 8°C in broccoli juice. Significant reductions in growth rate and an increase in lag phase of L. monocytogenes were observed in presence of some of the laurel and oregano extracts at both temperatures. Flow cytometry was used as a rapid method to determine the antibacterial effect of supercritical extracts and the physiological state of L. monocytogenes. Bacterial viability performed by dual staining of L. monocytogenes with SYTO 9 and propidium iodide revealed three different cell populations, specifically, living, dead and compromised cells. Live cell percentage decreased with the time of exposure, whereas the percentage of compromised cells remained constant and the dead cells increased in the same period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines the influence of race, gender, and type of legal counsel on juvenile court outcomes. Data from a sample of juvenile court referrals from two midwestern juvenile courts indicate that the effect of these factors varied by court location. The severity or leniency of the disposition outcome was determined by race, gender, type of legal counsel, and court location. This study clearly demonstrates the need for an approach that considers the interplay between legally relevant and legally irrelevant factors on juvenile justice decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of population density of Tetraoychus urticae Koch on CO2 assimilation, transpiration and stomatal behaviour in rose leaves and on the diameter and length of stems and flower buds was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The investigation was performed in order to gain more insight into integrated control systems in rose crops grown under greenhouse conditions. Physiological processes, such as photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as stomatal behaviour and chlorophyll content, were studied as they form part of the plant's nutrition mechanism and therefore affect the quantity and quality of the flowers. Information related to the effect of spider mite population density on bloom quality, diameter and length of stems and flower buds was also collected. The data indicate that increased mite density coincides with a decrease in the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration and chlorophyll content. Higher mite densities on leaves cause stomata to remain open for longer periods, which allows a greater loss of water. Spider mite densities of 10 and 50 mites per leaf cause a reduction in flower stem length of 17 and 26%, respectively, as compared to plants with no mites present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to epidemiological studies, gallstone disease is a very common disease in Mexican-Americans and Mexicans. However, the major risk factors for cholelithiasis in Mexicans have not been identified. We designed a case-control study in a group of Mexican subjects with and without gallstone disease confirmed by ultrasound. These subjects were prospectively studied over a three-year period. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected by means of a questionnaire. A total of 1500 subjects were included in this study: 1000 with and 500 without gallstone disease. The major risk factor in both men and women was body mass index [odds ratio (OR) 1.64 and 1.96, respectively; P < 0.008 and 0.001]. In addition, parity was an important factor in women (OR 2.17, P < 0.001), whereas age was associated with gallstone disease in men (OR 1.43, P < 0.001). We found that body mass index, parity, and age were the principal risk factors for gallstone disease in this group of Mexican subjects. These results are similar to those found in Mexican-American populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most widely used treatment of portal-systemic encephalopathy (PSE) is the administration of oral, non-absorbable disaccharides. Theoretically, the inhibition of intestinal disaccharidases should induce malabsorption of disaccharides and increase delivery of undigested carbohydrates to the colon, thus stimulating the effects of lactulose and other non-absorbable disaccharides (that is, lactitol and lactose). AO-128 is an N-substituted derivative of valeolamine, an aminocyclitol that selectively inhibits intestinal disaccharidases. This study was performed to investigate whether AO-128 could be used as adjuvant therapy for the treatment of mild PSE in cirrhotic patients. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was performed in 35 cirrhotic patients with PSE. Patients were given a 2-week treatment consisting of AO-128 (2 mg three times daily) or an identical placebo. The following featurers of PSE syndrome were assessed in a semiquantitative fashion before and after 1 and 2 weeks of therapy: mental state, asterixis, number connection test (NCT), venous blood ammonia concentration, electroencephalogram (EEG), and overall PSE index (PSEI). More patients receiving AO-128 than patients receiving placebo showed >40% improvement in the PSEI (83% versus 35%; P < 0.05). The mean stool pH decreased from 5.8 ± 0.3 to 5.5 ± 0.3 (P < 0.004) after AO-128 treatment, whereas no changes were observed in the placebo group. The EEG and nitrogen balance did not show significant changes in any of the two groups. A significant improvement was seen in the NCT performance after AO-128 (from grade 2.0 ± 1.04 to grade 1.25 ± 0.87; P < 0.05). Seven patients treated with AO-128 developed diarrhea, as compared with none in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that AO-128 may be useful in the treatment of PSE, although further studies are required to establish the benefit of AO-128 and determine adequate individual doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this work is to relate the geoelectrical units defined by the 3D model to the geological units in the southeast of the Tucumán plain, where geothermal manifestations are shown by artesian wells with temperatures between 38 °C and 50 °C. Two field campaigns involving 41 audio-magnetotelluric sites in the frequency range 100,000 to 10 Hz were carried on. Some sites are located near the wells, where the depth from which they bring water to the surface is known. The 3D model allows us to describe characteristics of the electrical resistivity of the different sedimentary formations as well as to correlate it with the structural features present in the region of study. The most remarkable feature of the final model is the high conductivity of the deepest geoelectrical unit associated with a formation of marine origin in which the presence of illite and montmorillonite has been determined. In addition, as some information from the wells is available for the layer taken advantage of, it was possible to validate the resistivity determined by the model with that obtained with Archie's law, finding correspondence. • The southeast of the Tucumán plain is an area of anomalous geothermal gradient with potential economic interest. • An audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) survey was carried out to characterize the main hydrogeological units. • Prior model and model covariance were parameters investigated for our distribution of AMT sites. • The resistivity of the model is in agreement with that obtained from Archie's law considering the information from the wells. • The model shows correspondence with the geological structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olive ridley sea turtle (L. olivacea) has a pantropical distribution. In the Eastern Pacific, the official limits of its reproduction area are south of the Baja California peninsula and south of Sinaloa, Mexico. Ceuta beach in Elota, Sinaloa, Mexico, has served as a protection site for L. olivacea for over three decades. In this study, the L. olivacea population from Ceuta beach was genetically characterized. Specifically, a 712–bp fragment from the control region of mtDNA was amplified from 32 olive ridley turtles. Eight haplotypes (seven after cutting to ~468 bp) were identified, and these included two novel haplotypes (Lo–T7 and Lo–T8) and five haplotypes that were previously identified in other nesting beaches. The Lo–T2 haplotype was dominant (~60 %) in the samples: h = 0.6048 (± 0.0974) and π = 0.002212 (± 0.001504). Although this study was conducted in the northernmost limit of the olive ridley turtle nesting distribution in the eastern Pacific, the sampled group presents moderate genetic diversity and belongs to a population that, on an evolutionary scale, only recently underwent demographic expansion. Because the olive ridley turtle in the eastern Pacific is considered resilient to environmental variation, nesting area studies in northwest Mexico are necessary.

ABSTRACT Micro-diverter valves are innovative and efficient devices used to generate microbubbles that can significantly enhance process efficiency in industry. Micro-diverter valves have been experimentally tested and modeled using CFD in previous works. However, a detailed CFD modeling evaluation of these valves has not been performed employing detailed turbulence modeling at transient and steady state. This article presents a three-dimensional CFD simulation and performance evaluation of a bi-stable diverted valve for microbubble generation. In the model, transient and steady state approaches were used to quantify the behavior in the valve. The K - ε standard and k - ε RNG turbulence models were used and compared. Different mesh configurations, mesh generation methods, and both turbulence models were evaluated to find the best set-up to simulate this valve. A brief analysis of the time-step size using the Courant number approach was also performed. Operation conditions at low Reynolds (3800) and high frequency (200 Hz) were used to assess possible industrial applications, thus setting the base for further studies. The results of this work show that at low Reynolds numbers and high frequencies, the valve is able to divert the fluid and thus it may have wider industrial applications.

During the last decade, gene therapy has emerged as a novel strategy for the treatment of several diseases. Regarding cardiovascular diseases, the genes of angiogenic growth factors have been successfully administered in animal models of ischemic diseases, combining gene therapy with the concept of therapeutic angiogenesis. Gene therapy is advantageous over protein therapy, since it can be considered a sophisticated form of a sustained delivery system. Moreover, gene therapy is cheaper to develop, implement and reimburse. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell-specific mitogen, has shown angiogenic properties in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that administration of naked plasmid DNA encoding VEGF121 could promote therapeutic angiogenesis in animal models of hindlimb and myocardial ischemia. Unilateral hindlimb ischemia was surgically induced in Beagle dogs. Ten days later, animals received intramuscular injections of pVEGF121 plasmid or saline directly in the ischemic muscles. Thirty days after gene transfer, angiographically recognizable collateral vessels were increased in pVEGF121-treated animals compared with controls. Perfusion to the ischemic limb was improved, as assessed by calf blood pressure ratio and vasomotor reserve assays. Yorkshire swine underwent induction of myocardial ischemia. Four weeks later, pVEGF121 or saline was administered into the myocardium. Four weeks after gene transfer, SPECT imaging demonstrated significant improvement in myocardial perfusion and function for pVEGF121 group compared with controls. Our results suggest that intramuscular and intramyocardial gene transfer of VEGF121 as naked plasmid DNA may augment collateral development and tissue perfusion in peripheral vascular and coronary artery diseases, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This database compiles comprehensive occurrence information, based on voucher specimens of small-eared shrews, genus Cryptotis , that occur from México to Peru. The database integrates the information obtained from four main sources: natural history museums, public databases, fieldwork and scientific literature. It contains 3,639 records from 53 species in 12 countries. Of the total, 83.54% have collecting dates, 51.36% of the specimens are sexed and 84.56% have decimal degrees coordinates. By generating this database and making it publicly available, we hope to improve the biological knowledge of this group of small mammals still poorly studied in the region. It aims to be a valuable resource for students, researchers, conservationists and decision-makers., New Information: The dataset contains information on all species of the genus Cryptotis in the Neotropical Region (namely from México to Peru), incorporating the most updated taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. The database includes records in regions and countries that are poorly represented in currently available data repositories. Most records have verified temporal and spatial information., (Lázaro Guevara, Julieta Vargas-Cuenca, Yolanda Hortelano-Moncada, Fernando A. Cervantes.)

Background and Aims: EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) has emerged as an alternative for the local treatment of unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We assessed the feasibility and safety of EUS-RFA in patients with unresectable PDAC., Methods: This study followed an historic cohort compounded by locally advanced (LA-) and metastatic (m)PDAC-naïve patients who underwent EUS-RFA between October 2019 and March 2022. EUS-RFA was performed with a 19-gauge needle electrode with a 10-mm active tip for energy delivery. Study primary endpoints were feasibility, safety, and clinical follow-up, whereas secondary endpoints were performance status (PS), local control, and overall survival (OS)., Results: Twenty-six patients were selected: 15 with locally advanced pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (LA-PDAC) and 11 with metastatic pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). Technical success was achieved in all patients with no major adverse events. Six months after EUS-RFA, OS was seen in 11 of 26 patients (42.3%), with significant PS improvement (P = .03). Local control was achieved, with tumor reduction from 39.5 mm to 26 mm (P = .04). A post-treatment hypodense necrotic area was observed at the 6-month follow-up in 11 of 11 patients who were still alive. Metastatic disease was a significant factor for worsening OS (hazard ratio, 5.021; 95% confidence interval, 1.589-15.87; P = .004)., Conclusions: EUS-RFA for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a minimally invasive and safe technique that may have an important role as targeted therapy for local treatment of unresectable cases and as an alternative for poor surgical candidates. Also, RFA may play a role in downstaging cancer with a potential increase in OS in nonmetastatic cases. Large prospective cohorts are required to evaluate this technique in clinical practice., Competing Interests: Disclosure The following author disclosed financial relationships: C. Robles-Medranda: Key opinion leader and consultant for Pentax Medical, Steris, Micro-Tech, G-Tech Medical Supply, CREO Medical, EndoSound, and mdconsgroup. All other authors disclosed no financial relationships., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Today, 50% of medical students are women, and residency and fellowship training years overlap with peak times for starting families. The authors describe attitudes toward pregnancy during residency and fellowship and report pregnancy rates and complications for female residents and resident partners across several decades. A web-based survey was emailed to 1,057 residents in 2005 (period 1) and 1,860 residents in 2021 (period 2). Anonymous surveys were sent to all trainees including pregnant trainees, affected co-trainees and trainee partners. Resident attitudes and pregnancy characteristics were compared between groups using the chi-square (χ2) test for categorical variables and the Kruskal-Wallis test for ordinal variables. A total of 442 residents (41.8%) responded to the 2005 survey, and 525 (28.2%) responded to the 2021 survey. Most residents who covered for a pregnant resident had positive feelings about covering for their colleagues during both time periods, although more positive attitudes were present during the period 2. Only about 10% of residents received compensation for their coverage during both time periods. Among residents with a pregnancy during training (i.e., themselves or partners), most characterized having a baby in training as "somewhat difficult" or "very difficult" at both time periods. Pregnancy complication rates were 33% and 44% for training years 2005 and 2021. As medical education evolves, training programs should be proactive in creating structured support systems for pregnant residents and resident partners to minimize adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and to improve training programs. Future studies are needed to elucidate the causality of higher-than-expected pregnancy complication rates.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic alteration in humans, resulting from the trisomy of chromosome 21. Individuals with DS are characterized by physical traits and limitations related to intellectual functioning and the development of motor skills. People with DS tend to have lower levels of physical activity (PA) than the general population, despite its benefits for health and quality of life, which could be caused by barriers such as the lack of adapted programs or knowledge on how to adapt them. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to examine the impact of physical activity or sports programs on autonomy and quality of life in individuals with DS. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed to search four databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and SportDiscus), adhering to the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome strategy. A total of 13 studies were selected that followed different training programs (combined training, adapted football, technology-based, pulmonary training, gymnastics and dance, water-based, and whole body vibration). Most of the interventions provided benefits for autonomy or quality of life (physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social) in people with DS. In conclusion, the benefits of physical activity and sports programs adapted to people with DS are positive.

Natural herbal teas are one of the three most consumed beverages in the world, and despite their frequent use in the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries, there is still much to about them. This study aimed to determine the functional properties of tea infusions made from dried Equisetum arvense (EA), Desmodium molliculum (DM), and Mentha piperita (M) grown in the Peruvian Andes. Next, using a simplex design with unrestricted centroid amplified centroid, 12 combinations were obtained for the combination of dried leaves with EA: 0∼100%, DM: 0∼100%, and M: 0∼100% optimal combination of EA: 6.59%, DM: 84.62%, and M: 8.79% maximizes functional components for total polyphenols (2,831.18 mg EAG/100 g), flavonoids (37.73 mg CAT/g), and antioxidant capacity (145.99 μmol Trolox/g). It can be confirmed that dried mixtures of these plants made into tea are a significant source of bioactive molecules, have a tolerable flavor, and can be used for therapeutic purposes when consumed., Competing Interests: AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2023 The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition.)

Hydrogen tunneling in enzyme reactions has played an important role in linking protein thermal motions to the chemical steps of catalysis. Lipoxygenases (LOXs) have served as model systems for such reactions, showcasing deep hydrogen tunneling mechanisms associated with enzymatic C-H bond cleavage from polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here, we examined the effect of solvent viscosity on the protein thermal motions associated with LOX catalysis using trehalose and glucose as viscogens. Kinetic analysis of the reaction of the paradigm plant orthologue, soybean lipoxygenase (SLO), with linoleic acid revealed no effect on the first-order rate constants, k cat , or activation energy, E a . Further studies of SLO active site mutants displaying varying E a s, which have been used to probe catalytically relevant motions, likewise provided no evidence for viscogen-dependent motions. Kinetic analyses were extended to a representative fungal LOX from M. oryzae, MoLOX, and a human LOX, 15-LOX-2. While MoLOX behaved similarly to SLO, we show that viscogens inhibit 15-LOX-2 activity. The latter implicates viscogen sensitive, conformational motions in animal LOX reactions. The data provide insight into the role of water hydration layers in facilitating hydrogen (quantum) tunneling in LOX., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, machine learning (ML) algorithms have emerged as powerful tools for predicting and modeling complex data. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prediction ability of different ML algorithms and a traditional empirical model to estimate the parameters of lactation curves. A total of 1186 monthly records from 156 sheep lactations were used. The model development process involved training and testing models using ML algorithms. In addition to these algorithms, lactation curves were also fitted using the Wood model. The goodness of fit was assessed using correlation coefficient (r), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), relative absolute error (RAE), and relative root mean square error (RRSE). SMOreg was the algorithm with the best estimates of the characteristics of the sheep lactation curve, with higher values of r compared to the Wood model (0.96 vs. 0.68) for the total milk yield. The results of the current study showed that ML algorithms are able to adequately predict the characteristics of the lactation curve, using a relatively small number of input data. Some ML algorithms provide an interpretable architecture, which is useful for decision-making at the farm level to maximize the use of available information.

Colombia is a producer of fine cocoa, according to the International Cocoa Organization; however, most of its exports are in the ordinary cocoa category. To remedy this situation, several national organizations are working to create technological platforms for small producers to certify the quality of their beans. The objective of this study was to identify differential chemical markers in 36 cocoa bean samples from five Colombian departments and associate them with cocoa quality properties. For this purpose, a non-targeted metabolomics approach was performed using UHPLC-HRMS, along with sensory and physicochemical analyses. The 36 samples did not differ in sensory quality, polyphenol content, and theobromine/caffeine ratio. However, the multivariate statistical analysis allowed us to differentiate the samples into four clusters. In addition, a similar grouping of the samples was also observed in the physical analyses. The metabolites responsible for such clustering were investigated with univariate statistical analysis and presumptively identified by comparison of experimental mass spectra with those reported in databases. Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, peptides, quinolines, and sulfur compounds were identified as discriminants between sample groups. Here, it was presented the metabolic profiles as an important chemical feature for further studies in quality control and more specific characterization of fine cocoa.

Background: The main objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of platelet concentrates -Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or Fibrin-rich plasma (PRF)- compared with blood clot (BC) as scaffolds for maturogenesis, in patients with immature permanent teeth with or without AP, in terms of the criteria for pulp revascularization success., Material and Methods: We reviewed randomized controlled clinical trials comparing regenerative endodontic therapies (maturogenesis) based on PRP or PRF versus the conventional BC approach, in necrotic teeth with or without apical periodontitis (AP) under clinical and radiographic criteria. We performed a strategic search in MEDLINE (PUBMED), EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science from inception to October 2022. This systematic review of the literature was developed following the Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA statement recommendations. We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool v2 to assess the included studies' quality. We performed a qualitative synthesis of the evidence., Results: Ten randomized controlled clinical trials were included in this systematic review. Analyses of these studies suggest that maturogenesis is a successful therapy regardless of the method employed. However, further research should be conducted with more suitable research methodologies and more homogenous data for meta-analysis., Conclusions: Results from this systematic review suggest that BC maturogenesis approaches yield similar clinical and radiographic outcomes when compared to Platelet-concentrates based therapies (PRP and PRF). Key words: Maturogenesis, Revascularization, Platelet-rich plasma, Fibrin-rich plasma, blood clot, systematic review., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None declared., (Copyright: © 2023 Medicina Oral S.L.)

Inflammatory radicular cysts (IRCs) are chronic lesions that follow the development of periapical granulomas (PGs). IRCs result from multiple inflammatory reactions led initially by several pro-inflammatory interleukins and growth factors that provoke the proliferation of epithelial cells derived from epithelial cell rests of Malassez present in the granulomatous tissue, followed by cyst formation and growth processes. Multiple theories have been proposed to help explain the molecular process involved in the development of the IRC from a PG. However, although multiple studies have demonstrated the presence of epithelial cells in most PGs, it is still not fully understood why not all PGs turn into IRCs, even though both are stages of the same inflammatory phenomenon and receive the same antigenic stimulus. Histopathological examination is currently the diagnostic gold standard for differentiating IRCs from PGs. Although multiple studies have evaluated the accuracy of non-invasive or minimally invasive methods in assessing the histopathological nature of the AP before the intervention, these studies' results are still controversial. This narrative review addresses the biological insights into the complex molecular mechanisms of IRC formation and its histopathological features. In addition, the relevant inflammatory molecular mediators for IRC development and the accuracy of non-invasive or minimally invasive diagnostic approaches are summarised. (EEJ-2022-03-041).