Characteristics and Nutritional and Cardiovascular-Health Properties of Seaweeds

Bocanegra, Aranzazu,Bastida, Sara,Benedi, Juana,Rodenas, Sofia,Sanchez-Muniz, Francisco J. The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.2

While marine algae have traditionally formed part of the Oriental diet, their major use in Western countries has been in the phytocolloid industry. Only a few coastal communities outside Asia have customarily used seaweeds as components of special dishes. Of late, however, seaweeds have gained importance as foodstuffs in Western countries and most recently as components of functional foods because of their high dietary fiber, mineral, vitamin, and phytochemical content, low energy levels, and high concentrations of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The present paper reviews the available data for some of the components of the major edible algae and studies several factors that can affect their physiochemical properties (e.g., hydration, water and oil-holding capacity, fermentability, binding capacity, etc.) and, in turn, their nutritional importance. The effects of marine alga consumption on growth and body weight, mineral availability, lipid metabolism, blood pressure, and antioxidant properties are reviewed, together with preliminary data on the effects of some functional foods containing seaweeds on lipid metabolism and gene expression of enzymes engaged in antioxidant protection. This review concludes with some remarks regarding the danger of the improper use of seaweeds in herbal medications. In addition, as the properties of algae are highly dependent on their individual composition, any generalization regarding these properties may be considered misleading and scientifically inappropriate.

Backstepping Control of a Buck-Boost Converter in an Experimental PV-System

Jesus R. Vazquez,Aranzazu D. Martin 전력전자학회 2015 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.15 No.6

This paper presents a nonlinear method to control a DC-DC converter and track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of a Photovoltaic (PV) system. A backstepping controller is proposed to regulate the voltage at the input of a buck-boost converter by means of Lyapunov functions. To make the control initially faster and avoid local maximum, a regression plane is used to estimate the reference voltages that must be obtained to achieve the MPP and guarantee the maximum power extraction, modifying the conventional Perturb and Observe (P&O) method. An experimental platform has been designed to verify the validity and performance of the proposed control method. In this platform, a buck-boost converter has been built to extract the maximum power of commercial solar modules under different environmental conditions.

Backstepping Control of a Buck-Boost Converter in an Experimental PV-System

Vazquez, Jesus R.,Martin, Aranzazu D. The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2015 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.15 No.6

This paper presents a nonlinear method to control a DC-DC converter and track the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of a Photovoltaic (PV) system. A backstepping controller is proposed to regulate the voltage at the input of a buck-boost converter by means of Lyapunov functions. To make the control initially faster and avoid local maximum, a regression plane is used to estimate the reference voltages that must be obtained to achieve the MPP and guarantee the maximum power extraction, modifying the conventional Perturb and Observe (P&O) method. An experimental platform has been designed to verify the validity and performance of the proposed control method. In this platform, a buck-boost converter has been built to extract the maximum power of commercial solar modules under different environmental conditions.

The Role of Mitochondrial Dynamic Dysfunction in Age-Associated Type 2 Diabetes

Vezza Teresa,Díaz-Pozo Pedro,Canet Francisco,de Marañón Aranzazu M.,Abad-Jiménez Zaida,García-Gargallo Celia,Roldan Ildefonso,Solá Eva,Bañuls Celia,López-Domènech Sandra,Rocha Milagros,Víctor Víctor M 대한남성과학회 2022 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.40 No.3

Mitochondrial dynamics, such as fusion and fission, play a critical role in maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis. The molecular mechanisms underlying these processes include fusion proteins (Mitofusin 1 [MFN1], Mitofusin 2 [MFN2], and optic atrophy 1 [OPA1]) and fission mediators (mitochondrial fission 1 [FIS1] and dynamin-related protein 1 [DRP1]), which interact with each other to ensure mitochondrial quality control. Interestingly, defects in these proteins can lead to the loss of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity, impairment of mitochondrial function, a severe alteration of mitochondrial morphology, and eventually cell death. Emerging evidence has revealed a causal relationship between dysregulation of mitochondria dynamics and age-associated type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disease whose rates have reached an alarming epidemic-like level with the majority of cases (59%) recorded in men aged 65 and over. In this sense, fragmentation of mitochondrial networks is often associated with defects in cellular energy production and increased apoptosis, leading, in turn, to excessive reactive oxygen species release, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic alterations, which can ultimately contribute to β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. The present review discusses the processes of mitochondrial fusion and fission and their dysfunction in type 2 diabetes, with special attention given to the therapeutic potential of targeting mitochondrial dynamics in this complex metabolic disorder.

Diagnostic challenge and management of intraosseous mandibular hemangiomas: a case report and literature review

Maria Isabel Sá,nchez Jorge,Jorge Corté,s-Bretó,n Brinkmann,Aranzazu Gonzá,lez Corchó,n,Rosa Acevedo Ocañ,a 대한구강악안면외과학회 2021 대한구강악안면외과학회지 Vol.47 No.4

Hemangioma is a benign tumor characterized by the proliferation of blood vessels. Although it often appears in soft tissues, its occurrence in bone tissue, particularly the mandible, is extremely rare. A 32-year-old female sought attention at the dental clinic complaining of a painless swelling in the posterior region of the left side of the mandible. A panoramic radiograph and computed axial tomography scan were taken, showing honeycomb and sunburst images, respectively, in the affected area. The patient underwent a biopsy, which led to the diagnosis of intraosseous hemangioma. Having assessed the characteristics of the lesion, it was decided to perform complete excision including safety margins, followed by an iliac crest bone graft to reconstruct the mandible. Awareness of the possible clinical and radiographic presentations of intraosseous hemangioma is considered important, as non-diagnosis could have severe consequences given its possible relation to dental structures.

Histopathologic findings in uteri and ovaries collected from clinically healthy dogs at elective ovariohysterectomy: a cross-sectional study

Daniel Maya-Pulgarin,María Soledad Gonzalez-Dominguez,Diego Aranzazu-Taborda,Juan Guillermo Maldonado-Estrada,Natalia Mendoza 대한수의학회 2017 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.18 No.3

Opinions on ovariohysterectomy (OHE) of bitches vary depending on region and country. In this descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study, uterine tracts and ovaries exhibiting gross pathologic findings (n = 76) were collected post-surgery from a reference population of 3,600 bitches (2.11% incidence) that underwent elective OHE during September to November 2013 and evaluated by histopathology examination. Data were evaluated by using descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests. Bitches were of crossbred background with average age 5 years (range 0.6–8.0 years) and most were nulliparous (69.7%) with no anamnesis of reproductive diseases (81.6%). Frequencies of proestrus, estrus, and diestrus were 42.1%, 6.6%, and 19.7%, respectively. The presence of mammary gland masses (5.3%) significantly correlated with histopathologic findings in ovaries and age of the bitch (p < 0.05). Predominant uterine histopathologies included cystic endometrial hyperplasia, periglandular fibrosis, lymphoplasmocytary endometritis, and adenomyosis (19.7%, 14.5%, 4.0%, and 2.6%, respectively). In ovaries, hyperplasia of rete ovarii, follicular cysts, oophoritis, adenoma of the rete ovarii, cysts of superficial structures, and granulosa cell tumors (10.5%, 10.5%, 7.9%, 4.0%, 2.6%, and 2.6%, respectively) were observed. The results reveal the presence of subclinical pathologies in healthy bitches, suggesting that OHE at an early age is beneficial for prevention of reproductive pathologies.