Differential expression of cardiometabolic and inflammation markers and signaling pathways between overweight/obese Qatari adults with high and low plasma salivary α-amylase activity.

Background: The relationship between salivary α-amylase activity (sAAa) and susceptibility to cardiovascular disorders lacks a definitive consensus in available studies. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study endeavors to investigate this association among overweight/obese otherwise healthy Qatari adults. The study specifically categorizes participants based on their sAAa into high and low subgroups, aiming to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the potential link between sAAa levels and cardiovascular and inflammation markers in this population.

Salivary α-amylase activity is associated with cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in overweight/obese, non-diabetic Qatari women.

Introduction: Obesity, prevalent in approximately 80% of Qatar's adult population, increases the risk of complications like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Predictive biomarkers are crucial for preventive strategies. Salivary α-amylase activity (sAAa) inversely correlates with obesity and insulin resistance in adults and children.

Characteristic fingerprints and comparison of volatile flavor compounds in Morchella sextelata under different drying methods.

Morchella sextelata is a precious and popular commercial edible fungus that was developed recently in China. This research aimed to characterize the volatile profiles of M. sextelata under three dehydration methods (freeze, hot air, and natural air drying).

Enhanced drug delivery by a prodrug approach effectively relieves neuroinflammation in mice.

Aims: Neuroinflammation is a prominent hallmark in several neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Halting neuroinflammation can slow down the progression of NDs. Improving the efficacy of clinically available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a promising approach that may lead to fast-track and effective disease-modifying therapies for NDs.

Elevated levels of salivary α- amylase activity in saliva associated with reduced odds of obesity in adult Qatari citizens: A cross-sectional study.

The relationship between salivary α-amylase activity (ssAAa) and the risk of metabolic disorders remains equivocal. We aimed to assess this relationship in adults from Qatar, where obesity and type 2 diabetes are highly prevalent. We cross-sectionally quantified ssAAa in saliva and estimated AMY1 CN from whole-genome sequencing data from 1499 participants.

Accuracy of acute-phase proteins in identifying lethargic and anorectic cats with increased serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity.

The mainstay of laboratory diagnostics of feline pancreatitis (FP) is measuring serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI). Thus far, several studies have investigated the relationship between acute-phase proteins (APPs) and the presence and severity of FP. Although changes in serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration have been linked with FP, its diagnostic accuracy remains unknown.

Combination of untargeted metabolomics approach and molecular networking analysis to identify unique natural components in wild Morchella sp. by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS.

Morchella sp. is a typical edible fungus. However, its unique natural products, especially bioactive composition, are rarely reported.

Evaluation of strain averaging area and strain estimation errors in a spheroidal left ventricular model using synthetic image data and speckle tracking.

Background: In majority of studies on speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) the strain estimates are averaged over large areas of the left ventricle. This may impair the diagnostic capability of the STE in the case of e.g.

Toward Optimizing Risk Adjustment in the Dutch Surgical Aneurysm Audit.

Background: To compare hospital outcomes of aortic aneurysm surgery, casemix correction for preoperative variables is essential. Most of these variables can be deduced from mortality risk prediction models. Our aim was to identify the optimal set of preoperative variables associated with mortality to establish a relevant and efficient casemix model.

Finite element analysis in symptomatic and asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms for aortic disease risk stratification.

Background: Advanced biomechanical models can provide additional information concerning rupture risk in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Here we evaluated the predictive value of finite element analysis (FEA) to assess AAA rupture risk.

Methods: In a case-control study, we compared FEA parameters in a group of symptomatic AAA (sAAA) patients, considered as a high risk of rupture group, with FEA parameters in asymptomatic AAA patients (aAAA).

Additional value of biomechanical indices based on CTa for rupture risk assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Biomechanics for rupture risk prediction in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are gaining popularity. However, their clinical applicability is still doubtful as there is lack of standardization. This study evaluates the added value of biomechanical indices in rupture risk assessment.

Sequence-regulated copolymerization based on periodic covalent positioning of monomers along one-dimensional nanochannels.

The design of monomer sequences in polymers has been a challenging research subject, especially in making vinyl copolymers by free-radical polymerization. Here, we report a strategy to obtain sequence-regulated vinyl copolymers, utilizing the periodic structure of a porous coordination polymer (PCP) as a template. Mixing of Cu ion and styrene-3,5-dicarboxylic acid (S) produces a PCP, [Cu(styrene-3,5-dicarboxylate)] , with the styryl groups periodically immobilized along the one-dimensional channels.

Emotion regulation and positive affect in the context of salivary alpha-amylase response to pain in children with cancer.

Background: Children with cancer routinely undergo painful medical procedures invoking strong physiological stress responses. Resilience to this pain may be conferred through resources such as emotion regulation strategies and positive affect.

Procedure: This study measured dispositional positive affect in children with cancer (N = 73) and randomly assigned participants to one of three emotion regulation strategy conditions (distraction, reappraisal, or reassurance).

Increased Peak Wall Stress, but Not Maximum Diameter, Is Associated with Symptomatic Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Objective: Maximum diameter (MD) is the established rupture predictor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, biomechanical markers from finite element analysis (FEA) could be more accurate predictors for these patients. In this study, the association between peak wall stress (PWS) and MD with symptoms of AAA was evaluated.

Adjusted Hospital Outcomes of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery Reported in the Dutch Surgical Aneurysm Audit.

Objective/background: The Dutch Surgical Aneurysm Audit (DSAA) is mandatory for all patients with primary abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the Netherlands. The aims are to present the observed outcomes of AAA surgery against the predicted outcomes by means of V-POSSUM (Vascular-Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity). Adjusted mortality was calculated by the original and re-estimated V(physiology)-POSSUM for hospital comparisons.

Advanced atherosclerosis is associated with increased medial degeneration in sporadic ascending aortic aneurysms.

Objective: The pathogenesis of non-familial, sporadic ascending aortic aneurysms (SAAA) is poorly understood, and the relationship between ascending aortic atherosclerosis and medial degeneration is unclear. We evaluated the prevalence and severity of aortic atherosclerosis and its association with medial degeneration in SAAA.

Methods And Results: Atherosclerosis was characterized in ascending aortic tissues collected from 68 SAAA patients (mean age, 62.

P(AA-SA) latex particle synthesis via inverse miniemulsion polymerization-nucleation mechanism and its application in pH buffering.

In this work, poly(acrylic acid-co-sodium acrylate) P(AA-SA) latex particles were prepared by inverse miniemulsion polymerization and used as a pH buffering agent for application. The polymerization was quickly initiated by a redox initiator (ammonium persulfate/sodium metabisulfite) at 0-5 degrees C. Thus the possibility of monomer dissolving in a solvent was reduced, which enhanced the degree of droplet nucleation.

Novel bioabsorbable salicylate-based polymer as a drug-eluting stent coating.

Background: Permanent polymers used in current drug-eluting stents (DES) can trigger chronic inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions, which may contribute to the increased risk of late thrombosis and rebound restenosis. Therefore, optimal polymer selection and the use of completely absorbable but biocompatible polymers are expected to minimize these risks.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate a novel, potentially innately anti-inflammatory, bioabsorbable salicylate-based polymer as a DES coating, in a clinically relevant animal model.