Publications by authors named "M P J Nicolai"

: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, and oxidative imbalances. This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary supplementations with 'Arinto' grape pomace flour (GPF) (WGPF) and 'Touriga Nacional' GPF (RGPF) in an animal model of T2DM. : T2DM was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) for 28 days and a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg) on the 21st day.

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Parrots produce stunning plumage colors through unique pigments called psittacofulvins. However, the mechanism underlying their ability to generate a spectrum of vibrant yellows, reds, and greens remains enigmatic. We uncover a unifying chemical basis for a wide range of parrot plumage colors, which result from the selective deposition of red aldehyde- and yellow carboxyl-containing psittacofulvin molecules in developing feathers.

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  • - Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare but serious conditions marked by an abnormal enlargement of blood vessels, classified as either saccular or fusiform, with causes including atherosclerosis and Kawasaki disease.
  • - Symptoms of CAAs can be absent or include chest pain, heart attacks, or sudden cardiac death; diagnosis is often confirmed through coronary angiography but may also involve CT scans.
  • - Management of CAAs varies based on factors like size and symptoms, with treatment options ranging from medication to surgical intervention, illustrated by a case report of a 79-year-old man diagnosed with a right coronary artery aneurysm.
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How extravagant ornamental traits evolve is a key question in evolutionary biology. Bird plumages are among the most elaborate ornaments, displaying almost all colours of the rainbow. Why and how birds evolved to be so colourful remains an open question with multiple and sometimes competing hypotheses.

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  • Rating scales are commonly used to assess mental health but may not be as effective as language-based responses in accurately conveying emotional states.
  • A study involving two phases found that narratives about emotions were better classified through computational analysis of language than through traditional rating scales.
  • Higher levels of alexithymia made narratives harder to classify, but it did not affect the accuracy of classification for either method, indicating that language analysis could enhance mental health assessments.
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