Prevalence and Predictors of Diabetic Retinopathy in Saudi Arabia: Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness among diabetic patients, particularly in areas with an increase in diabetes epidemics, such as Saudi Arabia. Notwithstanding the significant public health implications, data on the prevalence and risk factors of DR in Saudi Arabia are few and scattered, limited to certain geographic areas. Our study objective is to conduct a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the prevalence and predictors for DR in Saudi Arabia, within both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Stress Urinary Incontinence Among Women in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a prevalent condition among women in Saudi Arabia, characterized by involuntary urine leakage during physical activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing or sneezing. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SUI and identify its key risk factors.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted for studies published up to July 2024, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Mediterranean Food Pattern Adherence in a Female-Dominated Sample of Health and Social Sciences University Students: Analysis from a Perspective of Sustainability.

Background/objectives: The goal of this pilot study is to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean Food Pattern (MFP) in a self-selected sample of university students, addressing a perspective of food sustainability. In addition, it seeks to relate adherence to MFP with sociodemographic characteristics and nutritional status.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional pilot study whose data collection was carried out by an online questionnaire between January and April 2023.

Psychometric Properties of the Preference for Intuition and Deliberation in Eating Decision-Making Scale among Brazilian Adult Women.

The Preference for Intuition and Deliberation in Food Decision-Making Scale (E-PID) was developed to evaluate both intuitive and deliberative food decision-making within a single instrument. However, its psychometric properties have only been assessed among German-speaking participants. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate evidence of validity and reliability of the E-PID among 604 Brazilian adult women.

Anethole in cancer therapy: Mechanisms, synergistic potential, and clinical challenges.

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, prompting the search for effective and less toxic treatments. Anethole, a bioactive compound found in essential oils of anise and fennel, commonly used as a food preservative, has recently garnered attention for its potential anti-cancer properties. This comprehensive review aims to systematically assess the anti-cancer effects of anethole, elucidating its mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and synergistic potential with conventional cancer therapies.

Environmental Footprints in Food Services: A Scoping Review.

The collective meals market generates significant revenue for the world economy. Food services are responsible for consuming large amounts of water and energy, as well as generating a substantial volume of waste, which is often improperly disposed of. Given the unchecked expansion of food services, the lack of proper management of environmental resources can undermine sustainability principles, posing a threat to future generations.

Extending the Framework for Developing Intelligent Virtual Environments (FIVE) with Artifacts for Modeling Internet of Things Devices and a New Decentralized Federated Learning Based on Consensus for Dynamic Networks.

One of the main lines of research in distributed learning in recent years is the one related to Federated Learning (FL). In this work, a decentralized Federated Learning algorithm based on consensus (CoL) is applied to Wireless Ad-hoc Networks (WANETs), where the agents communicate with other agents to share their learning model as they are available to the wireless connection range. When deploying a set of agents, it is essential to study whether all the WANET agents will be reachable before the deployment.

Correction: Raposo et al. The Role of Food Supplementation in Microcirculation-A Comprehensive Review. 2021, , 616.

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Whey Protein Dietary Supplements: Metal Exposure Assessment and Risk Characterization.

Protein supplements (PS) are trendy foods, especially those made from whey. In addition to providing protein, these products are a source of metals, providing essential elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) and other potentially toxic elements (Al, B, Sr, V Ba, and Ni). In this study, 47 whey PS samples were analyzed for mineral elements by ICP-OES, and their dietary exposures were assessed for three consumption scenarios.

Proteins and Minerals in Whey Protein Supplements.

Sports nutrition supplementation is a widespread practice. Whey protein supplements contribute not only to protein intake but also to dietary exposure to minerals. The labelling present provides the percentage of protein and rarely refers to other components, such as potentially toxic elements such as B, Cu, Mo, Zn, and V that present tolerable upper intake levels set by the European Food Safety Authority.

Brazzein and Monellin: Chemical Analysis, Food Industry Applications, Safety and Quality Control, Nutritional Profile and Health Impacts.

Recently, customers have been keener to buy products manufactured using all-natural ingredients with positive health properties, but without losing flavor. In this regard, the objective of the current study is to review the consumption of brazzein and monellin, their nutritional profiles and health effects, and their potential applications in the food industry. This poses challenges with sustainability and important quality and safety indicators, as well as the chemical processes used to determine them.

Coconut Sugar: Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile; Health Impacts; Safety and Quality Control; Food Industry Applications.

Consumers often wish to substitute refined sugar with alternative sweeteners, such as coconut sugar, given growing interest in healthy eating and the public's negative perception of excess sugar intake. Coconut sugar is a healthier, sweetener option than the majority of other sugars that are commercially available. Sap is collected from trees to be transported, stored, and evaporated during processing, which are labor- and resource-intensive operations.

Anatomical Description of Loggerhead Turtle () and Green Iguana () Skull by Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstruction and Maximum Intensity Projection Images.

The growing interest in reptiles has posed a challenge to veterinary clinicians due to the lack of a standardized system to perform anatomical studies similar to those used for dogs and cats. In this paper, we have attempted to describe, employing computed tomography and subsequent three-dimensional reconstructions, the normal anatomical features that comprise the skulls of two species of reptiles: the loggerhead turtle () and the green iguana (). Computed tomography (CT) and subsequent image processing allowed the identification of the bony structures that comprise the head of these species.

Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Therapeutic Potentials of (Lour.) C. B. Robinson: A Literature-Based Review.

(Lour.) C. B.

Modification of Antibiotic Activity by Fixed Oil of the Almond against Standard and Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Strains.

(jackfruit) is an evergreen tree distributed in tropical regions and is among the most studied species of the genus . The jackfruit almond has been highlighted in relation to phytochemical studies, biological properties, and application in the development of food products. This study aimed to analyze jackfruit fixed oil regarding chemical components, antibacterial property alone, and in association with antibiotics against standard and MDR bacteria strains.

Mechanisms of Actions Involved in The Antinociceptive Effect of Estragole and its -Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex in Animal Models.

(1) Background: estragole is a monoterpene found in the essential oils of several aromatic plants, which can be used for several pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of estragole (Es) and its -cyclodextrins inclusion complex (Es/β-CD). (2) Methods: the effects of Es and Es/β-CD on the central nervous system (CNS) were evaluated through open field and rota-rod assays, and the antinociceptive effect in formalin models, abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid, hot plate, tail flick test and plantar mechanical hyperalgesia.

Maple Syrup: Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile, Health Impacts, Safety and Quality Control, and Food Industry Applications.

Maple syrup is a delicacy prepared by boiling the sap taken from numerous Acer species, primarily sugar maple trees. Compared to other natural sweeteners, maple syrup is believed to be preferable to refined sugar for its high concentration of phenolic compounds and mineral content. The presence of organic acids (malic acid), amino acids and relevant amounts of minerals, such as potassium, calcium, zinc and manganese, make maple syrup unique.

Consumer Behaviour and Attitude towards the Purchase of Organic Products in Riobamba, Ecuador.

The development of organic agriculture has been promoted worldwide to improve the nutritional health of families, and Ecuador is no exception. The aim of this research was to identify the behaviour and attitudes of consumers toward the commercialization of organic products in the city of Riobamba. This will help us to understand in what situations the consumers access these foods, the producer position in relation to the market, and to know their attitude towards these products.

Agave Syrup: Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile, Applications in the Food Industry and Health Impacts.

Agave syrup (AS), a food product made from agave plant sap, is a vegan sweetener that has become popular for replacing conventional sweeteners such as sucrose. As the demand for naturally derived sweeteners has grown in the last decade, this review paper addresses and discusses, in detail, the most relevant aspects of the chemical AS analysis, applications in the food industry, sustainability issues, safety and quality control and, finally, nutritional profile and health impacts. According to our main research outcome, we can assume that the mid-infrared-principal components analysis, high-performance anion exchange chromatography equipped with a pulsed amperometric detector, and thin-layer chromatography can be used to identify and distinguish syrups from natural sources.

Food Safety, Security, Sustainability and Nutrition as Priority Objectives of the Food Sector.

Food systems are at the center of global environmental, social, and economic challenges such as resource scarcity, ecosystem degradation, and climate change [...

The Role of Food Supplementation in Microcirculation-A Comprehensive Review.

(1) Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major public health concern worldwide and a key cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Accumulating evidence shows that several CVD forms are characterized by significant microcirculatory dysfunction, which may both cause and be caused by macrovascular disease, often preceding clinical manifestations by several years. Therefore, interest in exploring food supplements to prevent and restore microcirculation has grown.

Proportional Assist Ventilation Improves Leg Muscle Reoxygenation After Exercise in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Respiratory muscle unloading through proportional assist ventilation (PAV) may enhance leg oxygen delivery, thereby speeding off-exercise oxygen uptake ( ) kinetics in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods: Ten male patients (HFrEF = 26 ± 9%, age 50 ± 13 years, and body mass index 25 ± 3 kg m) underwent two constant work rate tests at 80% peak of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test to tolerance under PAV and sham ventilation. Post-exercise kinetics of , vastus lateralis deoxyhemoglobin ([deoxy-Hb + Mb]) by near-infrared spectroscopy, and cardiac output (Q ) by impedance cardiography were assessed.

Texture-Modified Food for Dysphagic Patients: A Comprehensive Review.

Food texture is a major food quality parameter. The physicochemical properties of food changes when processed in households or industries, resulting in modified textures. A better understanding of these properties is important for the sensory and textural characteristics of foods that target consumers of all ages, from children to the elderly, especially when food product development is considered for dysphagia.

Identification of the Pseudomonas fluorescens group as being responsible for blue pigment on fresh cheese.

New cases of blue cheese discoloration has led to recent research to identify the causal agent and factors that favor blue pigment appearing. Nonetheless, very few reports have described the source of contamination and the measurements to eradicate the microbiological source on cheese farms by determining the relation between blue discoloration on fresh cheese and the Pseudomonas fluorescens group. Thus, 60 samples from a cheese farm (cheese, equipment surfaces, tap water, and raw and pasteurized milk) were analyzed by phenotypical, MALDI-TOF, 16S rRNA sequencing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis tests to determine the causal agent.