Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ingredient variation on microbial acidification, susceptibility to syneresis, water holding capacity and viscosity of soy-peanut-cow milk yoghurt

Acidification of milk by lactic acid bacteria enhances the aggregation of milk proteins to form yoghurt gels with enhanced texture, colour and viscosity. A three-component constrained mixture design was employed to develop 10 soy-peanut-cow milk (SPCM) formulations which were fermented with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus (1:1) into soy-peanut-cow milk yoghurt (SPCY). The effect of ingredient variations on microbial acidification, colour, susceptibility to syneresis, water holding capacity and viscosity were determined. Titratable acidity increased with increasing cow milk content and trends in pH were contrary to titratable acidity. SPCY formulations were yellowish-white in colour. Yellowness and lightness increased with increasing soymilk content. Rheologically all products investigated were non-Newtonian and had better consistencies as cow milk content increased in samples and peanut milk content decreased. The water holding capacities of yoghurt samples increased with increasing soy milk content. Formulations without cow milk were the least susceptible to syneresis.
Airway clearance therapy in acute paediatric respiratory illness: A state-of-the-art review

Background Despite unclear evidence of effectiveness or safety, airway clearance therapy (ACT) is frequently performed in infants and children with acute pulmonary disease. Objectives The aim of this review was to critically synthesise published evidence, expert opinion and pathophysiological principles to describe the indications, effects, precautions and application of commonly used ACT modalities for managing infants and children with acute pulmonary disease. Method A comprehensive narrative review of published literature was conducted. Articles describing paediatric populations were prioritised, but adult and animal studies were also considered where appropriate. Results There is a dearth of high-level evidence supporting the use of ACT in acutely ill infants and children. Conversely, studies have highlighted the lack of effect of different modalities for a variety of conditions, and in some cases serious associated complications have been reported. Airway clearance therapy may be considered when there is retention of pulmonary secretions, and the consequential airway obstruction impacts either acutely on respiratory mechanics and gaseous exchange and/or has the potential for long-term adverse sequelae [a condition that is the consequence of a previous disease or injury]. However, it should not be considered a routine intervention. Conclusion Airway clearance therapy should not be performed routinely in children admitted to hospital with acute respiratory conditions. Patients should be clinically assessed and treatment planned according to individual presentation, in those with signs and symptoms that are potentially amenable to ACT. Clinical implications This review can serve as a guide for physiotherapists in the respiratory management of children with acute respiratory illness, as well as identifying areas for clinical research.
CEG_A_210060 303..319

Point your SmartPhone at the code above. If you have a QR code reader the video abstract will appear. Or use: https://youtu.be/y9aThwSZHoE Background: Celiac disease (CD) prevalence has increased significantly in recent decades in some developed countries. Yet the environmental factors in the existing literature do not appear to provide a satisfactory explanation for this increase. Objective: To determine whether nine variables are associated with CD in children. These variables are: incidence of ear infection before 2 years old, courses of antibiotics before 2 years old, duration of breastfeeding, vitamin D drop exposure in infancy, vitamin D supplement exposure between 2–3 years old, age at gluten introduction into the diet, fat content of cow’s milk consumed between 2–3 years old, quantity of cow’s milk consumed between 2–3 years old, and type of water consumed at 2 years old. Methods: An Internet-based survey was conducted among parents living in the US with at least one biological child between 3 and 12 years old. Potential participants were informed about the survey through social media, websites, electronic newsletters, and advertisements. Results: After exclusions, there remained 332 responses associated with children with CD (cases), and 241 responses associated with children who do not have CD (controls). In this data set, skim milk as the primary form of liquid cow’s milk consumed between 2–3 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.556, CI=1.430–10.22, P=0.010), vitamin D drops administered for more than 3 months (aOR=1.749, CI=1.079–2.872, P=0.025), courses of antibiotics (aOR=1.133, CI=1.037–1.244, P=0.007), and incidence of ear infection (aOR=1.183, CI=1.041–1.348, P=0.010) are all associated with CD in children. Conclusions: This study is the first to find an association between skim milk consumption and CD and vitamin D drop use for greater than 3 months and CD. It also adds to evidence that early life exposure to antibiotics and early life infection, specifically ear infection, are associated with CD.
Silencing of LINC01116 suppresses the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma by up-regulating microRNA-136 to inhibit FN1

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the most common cancers worldwide with a high mortality rate, is accompanied by poor prognosis, highlighting the significance of early diagnosis and effective treatment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been linked with the development and progression of various cancers. In this study, aberrantly expressed lncRNA LINC01116, microRNA-136 (miR-136), and fibronectin1 (FN1) were identified in OSCC using a microarray analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of LINC01116/miR-136/FN1 regulatory axis in OSCC. Methods The gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments in vitro were performed to alter the expression of LINC01116 and miR-136 in OSCC cells to elucidate their effects on cellular processes, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), viability, invasion, and migration. In addition, the interaction among LINC01116, miR-136, and FN1 was identified. Additionally, the tumorigenicity and lymph node metastasis (LNM) affected by LINC01116 were observed through xenograft tumor in nude mice. Results LINC01116 and FN1 were abundant in both OSCC tissues and cells, while miR-136 was poorly expressed. LINC01116 could competitively bind to miR-136, which targets and negatively regulates FN1. Moreover, in response to LINC01116 silencing or miR-136 over-expression, OSCC cells exhibited diminished EMT process and inhibited cell viability, invasion, and migration in vitro, coupling with impaired tumorigenicity and LNM in vivo. Conclusion The fundamental findings in this study collectively demonstrate that LINC01116 silencing may inhibit the progression of OSCC via the miR-136-mediated FN1 inhibition, highlighting a promising therapeutic strategy for OSCC treatment.
Flow Cytometric Determination of Actin Polymerization in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Effectively Discriminate Patients With Homozygous Mutation in ARPC1B From Asymptomatic Carriers and Normal Controls

Actin nucleators initiate formation of actin filaments. Among them, the Arp2/3 complex has the ability to form branched actin networks. This complex is regulated by members of the Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) family. Polymerization of actin filaments can be evaluated through flow cytometry by fluorescent phalloidin staining before and after stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). We identified a missense mutation in the gene ARPC1B (Arp2/3 activator subunit) resulting in defective actin polymerization in four patients (three of them were related). All patients (1 male, 3 female) developed microthrombocytopenia, cellular immune deficiency, eczema, various autoimmune manifestations, recurrent skin abscesses and elevated IgE antibodies. Besides four patients with homozygous mutation in ARPC1B, we also identified six heterozygous carriers without clinical disease (3 males, 3 females) within the same family. We developed a functional test to evaluate Arp2/3 complex function, which consists of flow cytometric detection of intracellular polymerized actin after in vitro fMLP stimulation of leukocytes. Median fluorescence intensities of FITC-phalloidin stained actin were measured in monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes of patients, carriers, and healthy control subjects. We detected non-efficient actin polymerization in monocytes and neutrophils of homozygous patients compared to carriers or the healthy subjects. In monocytes, the increase in median fluorescence intensities was significantly lower in patients compared to carriers (104 vs. 213%; p < 0.01) and healthy controls (104 vs. 289%; p < 0.01). Similarly, the increase in median fluorescence intensities in neutrophils was significantly increased in the group with carriers (208%; p < 0.01) and healthy controls (238%; p < 0.01) and significantly decreased in the patient's group (94%). Our functional fMLP/phalloidin test can therefore be used as a practical tool to separate symptomatic patients from asymptomatic mutation associated to actin polymerization.
Natural Killer Cells Offer Differential Protection From Leukemia in Chinese Southern Han

Interactions of human natural killer (NK) cell inhibitory receptors with polymorphic HLA-A, -B and -C molecules educate NK cells for immune surveillance against tumor cells. The KIR A haplotype encodes a distinctive set of HLA-specific NK cell inhibiting receptors having strong influence on immunity. We observed higher frequency of KIR A homozygosity among 745 healthy Chinese Southern Han than 836 adult patients representing three types of leukemia: ALL (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.52–0.89, p = 0.004), AML (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59–0.98, p = 0.034), and CML (OR = 0.72 95% CI = 0.51–1.0, ns). We observed the same trend for NHL (OR = 0.47 95% CI = 0.26–0.88 p = 0.017). For ALL, the protective effect of the KIR AA genotype was greater in the presence of KIR ligands C1 (Pc = 0.01) and Bw4 (Pc = 0.001), which are tightly linked in East Asians. By contrast, the C2 ligand strengthened protection from CML (Pc = 0.004). NK cells isolated from KIR AA individuals were significantly more cytotoxic toward leukemic cells than those from other KIR genotypes (p < 0.0001). These data suggest KIR allotypes encoded by East Asian KIR A haplotypes are strongly inhibitory, arming NK cells to respond to leukemogenic cells having altered HLA expression. Thus, the study of populations with distinct KIR and HLA distributions enlightens understanding of immune mechanisms that significantly impact leukemia pathogenesis.
A ‘Music, Mind and Movement’ Program for People With Dementia: Initial Evidence of Improved Cognition

Background Music is being increasingly used as a therapeutic tool for people with dementia. Research has uncovered several qualities of music that are responsible for its beneficial effects. Based on the identification of seven therapeutic capacities of music, we devised the Music, Mind, and Movement (MMM) program and evaluated whether it had therapeutic benefit for people with dementia (various types) in the areas of cognition, mood, identity, and motor fluency. Methods The MMM program involved seven 45-min weekly group sessions, and individual 15-min “booster” sessions. Twenty people with mild to moderate dementia participated. Group 1 (n = 10) completed the MMM program first and Group 2 (n = 10) acted as a wait list control for 7 weeks, receiving standard care and completing the MMM program after the first group. Assessments of global cognition (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination, ACE-III), mood (Geriatric Depression Scale short form), identity (‘I am’ task), and fine motor skills (9-Hole peg task) were conducted at baseline (T1), time 2 (T2, post treatment), and time 3 (T3, 1 month post MMM program). Results Within group comparisons were conducted with 12 participants from the MMM program and 10 participants receiving standard care. Global cognition (total ACE-III score) improved in 8/12 participants after the MMM program, whilst it decreased in 8/10 participants after the period of standard care. MMM participants showed increases in ACE-III subdomain scores of attention (p = 0.007) and verbal fluency (p = 0.056). Conclusion Our preliminary findings suggest that the MMM program may improve cognition, particularly verbal fluency and attention, in people with dementia.
Sensation Seeking’s Differential Role in Face-to-Face and Cyberbullying: Taking Perceived Contextual Properties Into Account

Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between sensation seeking and aggression. However, few studies have examined the relationships between sensation seeking and face-to-face and cyberbullying. The few existing studies assessed sensation seeking with items partly referring to antisocial behavior. This could have led to tautological findings. Moreover, contextual properties that could account for differences between bullying contexts (face-to-face, cyberspace) were neglected. Therefore, the first goal of this study was to investigate the relationships between sensation seeking and face-to-face and cyberbullying in a way that avoids tautological findings. Thus, sensation seeking was operationalized as a motivational disposition encompassing the dimensions “need for stimulation” and “avoidance of rest. ” Furthermore, students’ perceptions of the contextual properties of the face-to-face and cyber context and their relevance for the relationships between the dimensions of sensation seeking and face-to-face and cyberbullying were examined. A total of 523 students (Mage = 17.83; SD = 2.13; ♀ = 37.4%) from four vocational schools answered online questionnaires on face-to-face and cyberbullying involvement, perceived contextual properties, and the two dimensions of sensation seeking during regular school hours. Structural equation modeling revealed positive associations between need for stimulation and both forms of bullying. Avoidance of rest, however, was positively related to cyberbullying only. The differences in all regression slopes between contexts were statistically significant. That is, the positive associations with the two dimensions of sensation seeking were stronger for cyberbullying than for face-to-face bullying. Dependent t-tests revealed differences in students’ perceptions of contextual properties between contexts (face-to-face, cyberspace). Nevertheless, no significant relationships between either dimension of sensation seeking and either form of bullying were moderated by any perceived contextual property. Our results demonstrate sensation seeking’s greater role in cyberbullying and confirm differences in perceived contextual properties between the face-to-face and cyber context. Furthermore, the fact that no perceived contextual property moderated the significant relationships between the dimensions of sensation seeking and face-to-face or cyberbullying shows the relatively greater role of a single person factor compared to single contextual properties.
Biological Assessment of a 18F-Labeled Sulforhodamine 101 in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease as a Potential Astrocytosis Marker

Neurodegenerative diseases have mainly been associated with neuronal death. Recent investigations have shown that astroglia may modulate neuroinflammation in the early and late stages of the disease. [11C]Deuterodeprenyl ([11C]DED) is a tracer that has been used for reactive astrocyte detection in Alzheimer’s disease, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, among others, with some limitations. To develop a new radiotracer for detecting astrocytosis and overcoming associated difficulties, we recently reported the synthesis of a sulfonamide derivative of Sulforhodamine 101 (SR101), labeled with 18F, namely SR101 N-(3-[18F]Fluoropropyl) sulfonamide ([18F]2B-SRF101). The red fluorescent dye SR101 has been used as a specific marker of astroglia in the neocortex of rodents using in vivo models. In the present work we performed a biological characterisation of the new tracer including biodistribution and micro-PET/computed tomography (CT) images. PET/CT studies with [11C]DED were also done to compare with [18F]2B-SRF101 in order to assess its potential as an astrocyte marker. Biodistribution studies with [18F]2B-SRF101 were carried out in C57BL6J black and transgenic (3xTg) mice. A hepatointestinal metabolization as well as the pharmacokinetic profile were determined, showing appropriate characteristics to become a PET diagnostic agent. Dynamic PET/CT studies were carried out with [18F]2B-SRF101 and [11C]DED to evaluate the distribution of both tracers in the brain. A significant difference in [18F]2B-SRF101 uptake was especially observed in the cortex and hippocampus, and it was higher in 3xTg mice than it was in the control group. These results suggested that [18F]2B-SRF101 is a promising candidate for more extensive evaluation as an astrocyte tracer. The difference observed for [18F]2B-SRF101 was not found in the case of [11C]DED. The comparative studies between [18F]2B-SRF101 and [11C]DED suggest that both tracers have different roles as astrocytosis markers in this animal model, and could provide different and complementary information at the same time. In this way, by means of a multitracer approach, useful information could be obtained for the staging of the disease.
Motivated Attention in Climate Change Perception and Action

Despite the scientific consensus, some people still remain skeptical about climate change. In fact, there is a growing partisan divide over the last decade within the United States in the support for climate policies. Given the same climate evidence, why do some people become concerned while others remain unconvinced? Here we propose a motivated attention framework where socio-political motivations shape visual attention to climate evidence, altering perceptions of the evidence and subsequent actions to mitigate climate change. To seek support for this framework, we conducted three experiments. Participants viewed a graph of annual global temperature change while they were eyetracked and estimated the average change. We found that political orientation may bias attention to climate change evidence, altering the perception of the same evidence (Experiment 1). We further examined how attentional biases influence subsequent actions to mitigate climate change. We found that liberals were more likely to sign a climate petition or more willing to donate to an environmental organization than conservatives, and attention guides climate actions in different ways for liberals and conservatives (Experiment 2). To seek causal evidence, we biased attention to different parts of the temperature curve by coloring stronger climate evidence in red or weak climate evidence in red. We found that liberals were more likely to sign the petition or more willing to donate when stronger evidence was in red, but conservatives were less likely to act when stronger evidence was in red (Experiment 3). This suggests that drawing attention to motivationally consistent information increases actions in liberals, but discouraged conservatives. The findings provide initial preliminary evidence for the motivated attention framework, suggesting an attentional divide between liberals and conservatives in the perception of climate evidence. This divide might further reinforce prior beliefs about climate change, creating further polarization. The current study raises a possible attentional mechanism for ideologically motivated reasoning and its impact on basic perceptual processes. It also provides implications for the communication of climate science to different socio-political groups with the goal of mobilizing actions on climate change.
Anatomia foliar e potencial hídrico na tolerância de cultivares de café ao estresse hídrico

Resumo - A cultura do cafe e de expressiva importância no mercado internacional, com uma producao anual de cerca de 120 milhoes de sacas beneficiadas e no Brasil, e responsavel pela geracao de mais de dez milhoes de empregos diretos e indiretos. O estresse hidrico e um fator ambiental que pode ser extremamente prejudicial para a cultura do cafe, sendo que a selecao de cultivares tolerantes e de grande importância, principalmente diante da expansao da cafeicultura brasileira para areas consideradas marginais para o cultivo do cafe por estarem sujeitos a deficiencia hidrica. Nesse trabalho foram avaliadas 15 cultivares de Coffea arabica quanto ao status hidrico e as caracteristicas da estrutura interna das folhas, verificando quais dessas cultivares sao potencialmente mais eficientes em tais condicoes. Dentre as cultivares estudadas destacam-se a Bourbon Amarelo e a Catimor como potencialmente mais eficientes em condicoes de estresse hidrico por possuirem: maior potencial hidrico, cuticula mais espessa, maior proporcao de parenquima palicadico, maior espessura da nervura central e maior densidade estomatica em relacao as demais variaveis. Dessa forma, as cultivares Bourbon Amarelo e Catimor sao potencialmente mais eficientes na reducao da transpiracao, fotossintese e translocacao de fotossintatos em condicoes de estresse hidrico, sendo mais indicadas ao plantio em regioes sujeitas a maiores deficits hidricos em relacao as demais cultivares estudadas. Palavra-chave - Coffea arabica. Plasticidade anatomica. Deficiencia hidrica.
Application of SPSS linear mixed methods to adolescent development research: basic concepts and steps

Abstract In the context of intervention research, it is always important to ask whether the growth of the participants in the intervention group is superior to that of the control group participants. Although this question can be answered by analyses based on traditional generalized linear models, there are many problems associated with such analyses. Alternatively, individual growth curve (IGC) modeling analyses based on linear mixed methods (LMM) are proposed. Although LMM are available in generic computer software, such as SPSS, there is a paucity of user-friendly manuals and illustrations. To help researchers utilize SPSS in creating IGC models, we present in this paper the basic concepts of IGC modeling and of the process of using SPSS to conduct IGC.