Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD): A Longitudinal and Sustainable Analysis.

Background: The rising prevalence of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a significant health challenge, and the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) could play a key role.

Aim: The aim is assess the impact of UPF consumption changes on the development and progression of MASLD in adults.

Design: This is a longitudinal study to assess how changes in UPF consumption affect liver fat and MASLD parameters over 6 months in 70 participants.

Effects of a Two-Year Lifestyle Intervention on Intrahepatic Fat Reduction and Renal Health: Mitigation of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress, a Randomized Trial.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease observed in clinical practice worldwide. This disorder has been independently associated with an increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 2-year intervention based on a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity focussed on reducing intrahepatic fat contents (IFC) was associated with a decreased risk of CKD.

Impact of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet on Antioxidant Status and Metabolic Parameters in NAFLD Patients: A 24-Month Lifestyle Intervention Study.

Background: The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is recognized as a healthy dietary pattern. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the excessive accumulation of fat in the liver.

Objectives: To assess the antioxidant status in erythrocytes, plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of NAFLD patients following a 24-month lifestyle intervention based on the MedDiet.

Predicting Sex in White Rhinoceroses: A Statistical Model for Conservation Management.

Ensuring the effective management of every rhinoceros population is crucial for securing a future for the species, especially considering the escalating global threat of poaching and the challenges faced in captive breeding programs for this endangered species. Steroid hormones play pivotal roles in regulating diverse biological processes, making fecal hormonal determinations a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring adrenal and gonadal endocrinologies and assessing reproductive status, particularly in endangered species. The purpose of this study was to develop a statistical model for predicting the sex of white rhinoceroses using hormonal determinations obtained from a single fecal sample.

Antiseizure Medication-Induced Alopecia: A Literature Review.

Adverse effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs) remain one of the major causes of non-adherence. Cosmetic side effects (CSEs) are among the most commonly reported side effects of ASMs. In this context, alopecia is one of the CSEs that has a high intolerance rate leading to poor therapeutical compliance.

Polyunsaturated and Saturated Oxylipin Plasma Levels Allow Monitoring the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression to Severe Stages.

Hepatic fat accumulation is the hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our aim was to determine the plasma levels of oxylipins, free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and markers of lipid peroxidation in patients with NAFLD in progressive stages of the pathology. Ninety 40-60-year-old adults diagnosed with metabolic syndrome were distributed in without, mild, moderate or severe NAFLD stages.

Intrahepatic Fat Content and COVID-19 Lockdown in Adults with NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: COVID-19 lockdowns had a significant impact on people's health, triggering levels of anxiety, perceived stress, and changes in food and nutritional status.

Objectives: To assess the changes in dietary habits, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and liver parameters before and after the COVID-19 lockdown according to changes in intrahepatic fat content in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MetS.

Design: Pre- and post-lockdown observation of the COVID-19 lockdown on fifty-nine 40-60-year-old participants with MetS and NAFLD, in a parallel group, randomised experiment intended to treat NAFLD.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and NAFLD in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: The FLIPAN Study.

Unhealthy diet is an important factor in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previous studies showed the benefits of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on Metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular diseases, which usually have a pathophysiological relationship with NAFLD. To assess the effect of adherence to a MedDiet on NAFLD in MetS patients after lifestyle intervention, this multicentre (Mallorca and Navarra, Spain) prospective randomized trial, with personalized nutritional intervention based on a customized MedDiet, coupled with physical activity promotion was performed to prevent, and reverse NAFLD among patients with MetS.

Increased Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet after Lifestyle Intervention Improves Oxidative and Inflammatory Status in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: A Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is recommended as a therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) because there is no specific pharmacological treatment for this disease.

Objective: To assess the relationship between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the intrahepatic fat content (IFC), levels of oxidative stress, and inflammation biomarkers after a 6-month lifestyle intervention in NAFLD patients.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with NAFLD (n = 60 adults; 40-60 years old) living in the Balearic Islands, Spain, were classified into two groups, according to the adherence to the MedDiet after 6 months of lifestyle intervention.

A Greater Improvement of Intrahepatic Fat Contents after 6 Months of Lifestyle Intervention Is Related to a Better Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Status in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder characterized by the excessive accumulation of lipids in the liver parenchyma. To date, there is no effective pharmacological treatment against NAFLD. Objective: To assess the relationship between the improvement of the intrahepatic fat content (IFC) in patients with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation after 6 months of lifestyle intervention.

Impact of Physical Activity Differences Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Parameters in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: A Mediterranean lifestyle with a Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity (PA) improves metabolic syndrome (MetS) characteristics and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The COVID-19 pandemic stopped healthy habits and increased NAFLD progression.

Objectives: To assess how PA differences due to COVID-19 lockdown affected NAFLD parameters in adults with MetS.

Effect of Dietary and Lifestyle Interventions on the Amelioration of NAFLD in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: The FLIPAN Study.

Background: Adults with fatty liver present unusual glycaemia and lipid metabolism; as a result, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now considered as part of the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Objective: To assess the 6- and 12-month effects of customized hypocaloric dietary and enhanced physical activity intervention on intrahepatic fat contents and progression of NAFLD, in patients with MetS.

Design: Cross-sectional study in 155 participants (40-60 years old) from Balearic Islands and Navarra (Spain) with a diagnosis of NAFLD and MetS, and BMI (body mass index) between 27 and 40 kg/m; patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to either Conventional Diet, Mediterranean diet (MD)-high meal frequency, and MD-physical activity groups.

Effect of a Six-Month Lifestyle Intervention on the Physical Activity and Fitness Status of Adults with NAFLD and Metabolic Syndrome.

(1) Background: Physical inactivity has been linked to NAFLD, and exercise has been reported as useful to reduce intrahepatic fat content in NAFLD. (2) Objectives: To assess the physical activity (PA) and fitness status after a six-month lifestyle intervention (diet and PA) in adults with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (MetS). (3) Design: Prospective cohort analysis of data obtained between baseline and six-year parallel-group randomized trial (n = 155, aged 40-60 years old, with MetS and NAFLD).

Association between Stages of Hepatic Steatosis and Physical Activity Performance in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in FLIPAN Study.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease. The best treatment now is a healthy lifestyle with a Mediterranean diet and physical activity (PA).

Objective: To assess the association between stages of hepatic steatosis and physical activity performance in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Preliminary Findings on How Different Management Systems and Social Interactions Influence Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in White Rhinoceros ().

White rhinoceroses () are the most social and gregarious species of all rhinoceroses known worldwide. One of the most critical effects of elevated glucocorticoid concentrations, especially in threatened species, is its relation to chronic stress, which could potentially lead to immunosuppression and reduced reproductive activity. Our aim is to determine how different social environments and management systems might be influencing the secretion of fecal glucocorticoids in white rhinoceroses.

Structure-Function Studies of Two Yeast Homing Endonucleases that Evolved to Cleave Identical Targets with Dissimilar Rates and Specificities.

The LAGLIDADG family of homing endonucleases (LHEs) bind to and cleave their DNA recognition sequences with high specificity. Much of our understanding for how these proteins evolve their specificities has come from studying LHE homologues. To gain insight into the molecular basis of LHE specificity, we characterized I-WcaI, the homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae I-SceI LHE found in Wickerhamomyces canadensis.

Association between Physical Activity and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: The FLIPAN Study.

Background: A lifestyle with regular PA (physical activity) and Mediterranean diet has benefits on NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and MetS (metabolic syndrome). Objectives: To assess the association between physical activity and NAFLD in adults with MetS. Design: Cross-sectional study in 155 participants (40−60 years old) from Balearic Islands and Navarra (Spain) with diagnosis of NAFLD and MetS, and BMI (body mass index) between 27 and 40 Kg/m2.

COVID-19 pandemic and economic scenarios for Ontario.

To study the efficacy of the public policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we develop a model of the rich interactions between epidemiology and socioeconomic choices. Preferences feature a "fear of death" that lead individuals to reduce their social activity and work time in the face of the pandemic. The aggregate effect of these reductions is to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Comparison of care accessibility, costs, and quality with face-to-face and telehealth epilepsy clinic visits.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on reimbursement for telehealth visits were lifted and this visit type was suddenly available to patients around the United States of America. Telehealth visits offer potential cost savings for patients and families, which may vary by region of the world studied. Also, aggressiveness of the care patients receive may differ, and patients or families may be more likely to choose one visit type over another based on seizure control.

De Novo Valve Tissue Morphology Following Bioscaffold Mitral Valve Replacement in a Juvenile Non-Human Primate Model.

The utility of implanting a bioscaffold mitral valve consisting of porcine small intestinal submucosa (PSIS) in a juvenile baboon model (12 to 14 months old at the time of implant; = 3) to assess their in vivo tissue remodeling responses was investigated. Our findings demonstrated that the PSIS mitral valve exhibited the robust presence of de novo extracellular matrix (ECM) at all explantation time points (at 3-, 11-, and 20-months). Apart from a significantly lower level of proteoglycans in the implanted valve's annulus region ( < 0.

Albuminuria Is Associated with Hepatic Iron Load in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Increased albuminuria is associated with increased serum ferritin, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Liver iron accumulation is also related to hyperferritinemia, insulin resistance, and NAFLD; however, there is no evidence on its relationship with albuminuria.

Aims: To assess the relationship between hepatic iron load and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and NAFLD.

Animal Fat Intake Is Associated with Albuminuria in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Diet could play a predisposing role in the development of increased albuminuria in patients with NAFLD and MetS; however, published evidence is still limited. The aim of this cross-sectional analysis was to assess whether dietary fats are associated with changes in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) in 146 patients aged 40-60-years with NAFLD and MetS.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated with Kidney Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is early marked by kidney glomerular hyperfiltration. However, the association of NAFLD with kidney glomerular hyperfiltration has not been tested so far in adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Aims: To assess the relationship between NAFLD and kidney glomerular hyperfiltration in adults with MetS.