National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia

Sorafenib is the first drug approved to treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and continues as the gold-standard therapy against HCC. However, acquired drug resistance represents a main concern about sorafenib therapy. The flavanol quercetin found in plants has shown great anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. In this work, quercetin was used as a therapeutic agent alone or in combination with a sorafenib chemotherapy drug to improve the routine HCC treatment with sorafenib. The in vitro and in vivo results presented here confirm that quercetin alone or in combination with sorafenib significantly inhibited HCC growth, induced cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis and necrosis. Further molecular data shown in this report demonstrate that quercetin alone or combined with sorafenib downregulated key inflammatory, proliferative and angiogenesis-related genes (TNF-α, VEGF, P53 and NF-κB). Combined quercetin/sorafenib treatment markedly improved the morphology of the induced liver damage and showed significant antioxidant and anti-tumor effects. The advantage of combined treatment efficacy reported here can be attributed to quercetin’s prominent effects in modulating cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation.

In this research article, a simple four-dimensional (4D) chaotic dynamic system with uncomplicated structure and only one nonlinear term is introduced. The features of the proposed design have been conducted with some standard nonlinear dynamic analysis and mathematical tools which show the chaotic nature. One of the most important indicators for detecting complexity of the chaotic systems is the Kaplan-York dimension of the system. Moreover, one of the main criteria of chaotic systems is its simplicity due to the reduction of operating costs. Therefore, it seems necessary to design a system as simple as possible and with high complexity. In this research, a comparison has been made between the proposed system and similar chaotic systems, which has given noticeable results. For the practical implementation of the proposed design, the circuit analysis using Multisim software has been employed. The proposed scheme has been used in the application of image encryption to show the efficiency of the proposed chaotic system and standard encryption tests have been performed. The rest of the numerical results have been conducted using MATLAB/Simulink software.

A broadband amplification that utilizes a serial hybrid fiber amplifier is experimentally demonstrated in this paper. Two fully double-pass configurations, namely, setups A and B, are implemented. The difference between these two configurations is that the position of the two amplifiers (erbium and Raman) is swapped. These two configurations are tested under the same input parameter conditions. Two laser pump power wavelengths with a total pump power of 375 mW (1495 nm with 350 mW for Raman and 1480 nm with 25 mW for the erbium amplifier) were used. Under the optimum condition and under a small signal power of −30 dBm, a wide flatness gain bandwidth of 80 nm (1530–1610 nm) with an average gain level of 28.5 and 24 dB is achieved for setups A and B, respectively. A wide bandwidth is achieved by avoiding the amplification overlap between these two amplifiers through choosing the proper pump wavelength. In addition, A gain dynamic range values of 3 dB and more than 15 dB were recorded for setup A and B respectively.

This report aims to provide complete knowledge on the polyphenol composition and biological activities of the olive tree. The extraction of the root bark and wood of Olea europaea. L (Chemlali cultivar) was realized by solid-liquid ethanolic extraction, whose analysis was conducted via high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detection and mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-DAD and MS/MS). Moreover, radical scavenging and antibacterial activities were determined. The results present a total of 14 phenolic compounds belonging mainly to secoiridoid and flavonoid subclasses. Oleuropein was found to be the most abundant compound at an amount of up to 7000 mg/kg followed by ligstroside and oleuropein derivatives. In addition, we found oleocanthal at a great amount (2115 mg/kg). Higher individual polyphenolic concentrations were recorded in root wood extracts compared to bark ones, except for the flavonoid group. Likewise, the total phenolic compound contents increased in the olive root wood. This trend was reflected in biological activities. In fact, root wood extracts exert more important antioxidant and antibacterial activities than bark extracts due to their high bioactive compounds.

N-acetyltransferase 2 is an enzyme that is involved in the detoxification of carcinogens in the human body, so any damage to this protein may lead to the emergence of several metabolic dysfunctions. This work was conducted to determine the association between NAT2 polymorphism and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) that is increasingly reported in the Iraqi population. PCR sequencing was conducted to assess the possible association between genetic variants and NSCLC. Several in silico tools were implemented to investigate the effect of the observed SNPs on the structure, function, and stability of the altered NAT2. Five SNPS of NAT2 (rs1208, rs1041983, rs1799929, rs1799930, and rs1801280) were identified in high frequencies in the amplified fragment. These SNPs showed variable distributions of haplotypes between cases and controls. No significant association of rs1208, rs1041983, rs1799929, and rs1799930 with NSCLC was shown in the investigated population. In contrast, rs1801280: CC genotype showed a highly significant (P = 0.009) association with the NSCLC, and individuals with this genotype had 2.19 more chances for developing NSCLC (OR 2.19; Cl95% 1.21–3.94). Association analysis of rs1801280 SNP distribution among the investigated patients showed that patients with CC genotype showed a significant (P = 0.02, OR 2.65) association with family history, which entailed a high hereditary possibility of this genotype among Iraqi patients. It was predicted that this SNP showed high damaging effects on the activity of NAT2 enzyme, with various deleterious outcomes on enzyme structure, function, and stability. Data indicated that rs1801280 SNP exerted a tight association with NSCLC since individuals with CC genotype exhibited the most damaging effects on the NAT2 that may be behind the low acetylation rates of this enzyme in patients with NSCLC.

This study investigates the performances of a self-sufficient greenhouse powered by a solar humidification–dehumidification desalination unit. It aims to achieve an overall integrated system that produces enough fresh water to cover the irrigation demand as well as the air humidification needs of the greenhouse. The humidification–dehumidification operation was numerically simulated using the developed model along with the greenhouse microclimate. The greenhouse model was validated through an experimental real-scale greenhouse. To make the proposed system more flexible, an auxiliary control system is used to easily monitor the greenhouse needs and ensure its satisfaction. The findings revealed that the integrated system, with its two main subsystems and its regulation device, successfully ensures the greenhouse irrigation, the humidification needs and provides an optimal plant growth. For the case study, i.e. cucurbit greenhouse situated at El Hamma (Tunisia), the desalination system can cover more than 200% of the greenhouse water irrigation needs while keeping the greenhouse inside air at a humidity level of 60% at least. The maximum productivity and the best energy efficiency are respectively 5.1 m3/day and 63.25%.

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of the phytochemical crocin alone or in combination with sorafenib both in rats chemically induced with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). Male rats were randomly divided into five groups, namely, control group, HCC induced group, and groups treated with sorafenib, crocin or both crocin and sorafenib. HCC was induced in rats with a single intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), then 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF). The HCC-induced rats showed a significant decrease in body weight compared to animals treated with either or both examined drugs. Serum inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP); interleukin-6 (IL-6); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and oxidative stress markers were significantly increased in the HCC group and were restored upon treatment with either or both of therapeutic molecules. Morphologically, the HCC-induced rats manifested most histopathological features of liver cancer. Treatment with either or both of crocin and sorafenib successfully restored normal liver architecture. The expression of key genes involved in carcinogenesis (TNFα, p53, VEGF and NF-κB) was highly augmented upon HCC induction and was attenuated post-treatment with either or both examined drugs. Treatment with both crocin and sorafenib improved the histopathological and inflammation parameters as compared to single treatments. The in vivo anti-cancer effects of crocin and/or sorafenib were supported by their respective cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells. Crocin and sorafenib displayed an anti-tumor synergetic effect on HepG2 cells. The present findings demonstrated that a treatment regimen with crocin and sorafenib reduced liver toxicity, impeded HCC development, and improved the liver functions.

There is a great interest in the use of by-products from food processing such us pea pods (PP) and broad bean pods (BBP) that still contain many valuable substances such as dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols which are generally underestimated and used in animal feed. The present study describes the extraction process of polyphenols from PP and BBP using different solvents (hexane, methanol, ethanol and water). Water extract (WE) containing the highest extraction yield (42.25% for PP and 34.75% for BBP) showed the highest levels of total phenolic content for the PP flour (100.48 ± 8.80 mg of GAE/g extract) and BBP flour (330.75 ± 17.32 mg of GAE/g extract), respectively. Methanol extract and WE have the most important antioxidant activities. The inhibitory activity of the extracts from PP and BBP against Gram negative bacteria was significantly higher than against Gram positive ones. The highest Minimum Inhibitory concentration value was detected with K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883 (21.42 mg/mL) for the ME and EE (ethanol extract) from BBP. The identification of the phenolic compounds was studied using UPLC–HRMS and revealed a difference in the quality and quantity of polyphenols in the WE from PP or BBP. Therefore, these legumes by-products polyphenols could be a potential source of natural antioxidants and functional compounds for various industrial uses.

Reusing hemodialysis wastewater (HWW) is more difficult due to its higher conductivity (salinity) and the need for an iterative RO or adsorption process. It can therefore be challenging and technologically laborious. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the possibility of treating HWW by combining electro-coagulation (EC) and electro-oxidation (EO) processes and adsorption as the best technologies to achieve efficient removal of dissolved micropollutants. In this work, the application of electro-coagulation/electro-oxidation processes using, respectively, aluminum and platinum electrodes combined with adsorption onto active carbon to treat HWW was studied. In the EC process, high removal of phosphate ions and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was observed. In the EO process, the COD removal performance, total nitrogen, and Mg were significant and reached 100, 83, and 89%, respectively, after 100 min of treatment. The estimated energies required to treat HWW by EC and/or EO were approximately 0.7 kWh/m3 and 0.05 kWh/m3, respectively. While the EO and EC processes used for COD removal from HWW showed almost similar performances, the EO process seems to consume less energy. Therefore, electrochemical removal of HWW can be successfully performed using the EO process and activated carbon (AC) for the complete removal of COD and the mineralization of pharmaceutical residues. The experimental results showed that the coupling of the three processes (EC–EO–AC) provides treated water that can be reused in agriculture due to its less sodium absorption ratio (SAR) value and might be an alternative method of wastewater treatment responding to the concept of green dialysis.

The objectives of this work were to optimize hydro-distillation extraction of Salvia officinalis L. essential oil (SoEO) and to evaluate the in vitro scavenging capacity of the free radicals DPPH·, NO·, ABTS+, and the ability to reduce Fe3+. The optimization of SoEO extraction by hydro-distillation was carried out using the response-surface methodology by Box–Behnken. The cytotoxicity and anti-proliferative capacities were evaluated by measuring cell viability and then modeled. Two human tumor cell lines: MCF-7 and HeLa were involved. The obtained optimal extraction yield was Y = 1.85 g/100 g d.b. The main identified fractions were camphene (23.7%), α-thujone (19.62%), 1,8-cineole (10.6%), viridiflorol (5.9%), borneol (5.72%), β-thujone (5.4%) and caryophyllene (3.83%). Also, SoEO was mostly able to scavenge DPPH· free radical, ABTS+ radical and hydrogen peroxide in an amount dependent manner (IC50 = 0.97, 0.279 and 0.05 mg/mL, respectively). All treated cell lines showed a significant reduction in cell viability in response to the increasing of oil concentration. The cytotoxicity activity against both tumor cell lines MCF-7 and HeLa was considerably important with IC50 = 3.125 and 8.920 μg/mL, respectively. The present work provides a preliminary platform for further investigation of the possible mechanism of S. officinalis essential oils and their individual compounds in cytotoxic and antitumor activities.

In this paper, we assessed the ability of two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in viable and dead forms, to remove ochratoxin A (OTA) from an artificially contaminated synthetic grape juice medium (SGM) (10 µg OTA/L) and a naturally contaminated grape juice (6.64 µg OTA/L). The first strain, named Levulin FB, is a commercial yeast used in making wine. The second, named SC5, is an autochthonous strain isolated from table grapes. OTA concentrations in juices before and after their contact with yeast cells were assessed. A significant decrease in OTA level (p < 0.05) in the SGM medium and in the natural grape juice was observed after 1 h of adding yeast cells (20 g/L) in viable and heat-treated forms. It was inferred that the dead forms of the two strains were more able to eliminate OTA than their viable forms in both media. This study demonstrates the potential application of an autochthonous yeast for the natural decontamination of grape juice from fungal toxins.

In this study, we present an IoT-based robot for wrist rehabilitation with a new protocol for determining the state of injured muscles as well as providing dynamic model parameters. In this model, the torque produced by the robot and the torque provided by the patient are determined and updated taking into consideration the constraints of fatigue. Indeed, in the proposed control architecture based on the EMG signal extraction, a fuzzy classifier was designed and implemented to estimate muscle fatigue. Based on this estimation, the patient’s torque is updated during the rehabilitation session. The first step of this protocol consists of calculating the subject-related parameters. This concerns axis offset, inertial parameters, passive stiffness, and passive damping. The second step is to determine the remaining component of the wrist model, including the interaction torque. The subject must perform the desired movements providing the torque necessary to move the robot in the desired direction. In this case, the robot applies a resistive torque to calculate the torque produced by the patient. After that, the protocol considers the patient and the robot as active and all exercises are performed accordingly. The developed robotics-based solution, including the proposed protocol, was tested on three subjects and showed promising results.

The remarkable properties of sliding mode control (SMC)—such as robustness, accuracy, and ease of implementation—have contributed to its wide adoption by the control community. To accurately compensate for parametric uncertainties, the switching part of the SMC controller should have gains that are sufficiently large to deal with uncertainties, but sufficiently small to minimize the chattering phenomena. Hence, proper adjustment of the SMC gains is crucial to ensure accurate and robust performance whist minimizing chattering. This paper proposes the design and implementation of an optimal fuzzy enhanced sliding mode control approach for a Stewart parallel robot platform. A systematic approach of designing the table of rules of the fuzzy system so as to provide the required coefficients of the sliding mode controller is proposed. The aim is to attain optimum performance and minimum control effort, thus eliminating the need for computationally expensive expert systems and yielding control outputs below the actuator saturation ranges. The proposed approach was validated using a six degrees-of-freedom Stewart platform subject to external disturbances. Its performance was compared to that of a standard SMC approach. The obtained results and comparative study showed that the proposed control algorithm not only reduces chattering, but also responds effectively to the realistic demands of control energy, while preventing actuator saturation.

The upper Thanetian–lowermost Ypresian succession in Tunisia is part of an extensive high-productivity upwelling regime in the southern Tethyan margin. As in several modern coastal upwelling systems, the upwelling strengthening regionally accentuated sustained acidification conditions, which prevailed in the Roman Bridge area (Central Tunisia). The poor-carbonate sedimentation, associated with the bad preservation state of calcifiers, points to the expansion of carbonate undersaturation in the water column and deep-sea sediments. The upwelling of deep CO32− and dissolved oxygen-depleted water significantly put calcifiers under chemically stressed habitats. Foraminiferal dwarfism, decrease in abundance and diversity, and especially occurrence of abundant dissolved and fragmented shells could account for the severe carbonate-corrosive waters. The spoiled primary morphological characteristics of benthic foraminifera emphasize the alkalinity increase in the deep marine waters. The well-preserved organic matter in the Roman Bridge sediments suggested a relatively minor role of remineralization in CaCO3-unsaturated waters. The expansion of carbonate-depleted water in the Roman Bridge area was principally driven by upwelled deep depleted-carbonate waters. These findings highlight the challenge to predict the response of the marine ecosystem to rising ocean acidification in upwelling strengthening regions in the future.

The main objective discussed in this research was to determine the structural characteristics of carob kibble water-soluble polysaccharide (KWSP), extracted from Ceratonia siliqua L., and to assess its in vitro antioxidant activities, as well as its effect on whipped cream. The results obtained through 13C, 1H, and the hetero-nuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis indicated that KWSP had the characteristic bands of polysaccharides. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) suggested that KWSP is a hetero-polysaccharide composed of glucose and fructose, with an average molecular weight (Mw) amounting to 65 KDa. In addition, KWSP showed a good water holding capacity (WHC), a good oil holding capacity (OHC), and an emulsification stability, rated as 3.14 ± 0.05 g/g, 0.87 ± 0.02 g/g, and 71 ± 0.01%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of KWSP was investigated in vitro, demonstrating important DPPH and ABTS⋅+ radical scavenging activities and a good total antioxidant capacity. KWSP exhibited antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica. On the other hand, the incorporation of KWSP in whipped cream was investigated, to enhance its antioxidant capacity and consequently to extend its expiration date. Moreover, KWSP reduces the formation of conjugated dienes and trienes in cream fat.