Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
StuA-Regulated Processes in the Dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum: Transcription Profile, Cell-Cell Adhesion, and Immunomodulation

Fungal infections represent a significant concern worldwide, contributing to human morbidity and mortality. Dermatophyte infections are among the most significant mycoses, and Trichophyton rubrum appears to be the principal causative agent. Thus, an understanding of its pathophysiology is urgently required. Several lines of evidence have demonstrated that the APSES family of transcription factors (Asm1p, Phd1p, Sok2p, Efg1p, and StuA) is an important point of vulnerability in fungal pathogens and a potential therapeutic target. These transcription factors are unique to fungi, contributing to cell differentiation and adaptation to environmental cues and virulence. It has recently been demonstrated that StuA plays a pleiotropic role in dermatophyte pathophysiology. It was suggested that it functions as a mediator of crosstalk between different pathways that ultimately contribute to adaptive responses and fungal-host interactions. The complex regulation of StuA and its interaction pathways are yet to be unveiled. Thus, this study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of StuA-regulated processes in T. rubrum by assessing global gene expression following growth on keratin or glucose sources. The data showed the involvement of StuA in biological processes related to central carbon metabolism and glycerol catabolism, reactive oxygen species metabolism, and cell wall construction. Changes in carbohydrate metabolism may be responsible for the significant alteration in cell wall pattern and consequently in cell-cell interaction and adhesion. Loss of StuA led to impaired biofilm production and promoted proinflammatory cytokine secretion in a human keratinocyte cell line. We also observed the StuA-dependent regulation of catalase genes. Altogether, these data demonstrate the multitude of regulatory targets of StuA with a critical role in central metabolism that may ultimately trigger a cascade of secondary effects with substantial impact on fungal physiology and virulence traits.
α-Chaconine Affects the Apoptosis, Mechanical Barrier Function, and Antioxidant Ability of Mouse Small Intestinal Epithelial Cells

α-Chaconine is the most abundant glycoalkaloid in potato and toxic to the animal digestive system, but the mechanisms underlying the toxicity are unclear. In this study, mouse small intestinal epithelial cells were incubated with α-chaconine at 0, 0.4, and 0.8 μg/mL for 24, 48, and 72 h to examine apoptosis, mechanical barrier function, and antioxidant ability of the cells using a cell metabolic activity assay, flow cytometry, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and fluorescence quantitative PCR. The results showed that α-chaconine significantly decreased cell proliferation rate, increased apoptosis rate, decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value, and increased alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, and there were interactions between α-chaconine concentration and incubation time. α-Chaconine significantly reduced the relative and mRNA expressions of genes coding tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, decreased total glutathione (T-GSH) content, reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) and the mRNA expressions of SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and γ-GCS genes. In conclusion, α-chaconine disrupts the cell cycle, destroys the mechanical barrier and permeability of mucosal epithelium, inhibits cell proliferation, and accelerates cell apoptosis.
Comparison of the Nutritional Quality of Branded and Private-Label Food Products Sold in Italy: Focus on the Cereal-Based Products Collected From the Food Labeling of Italian Products Study

The packaged foods sold in food stores may be “private-label” products (PL), when branded by the supermarket, and “branded” products (BR). PL products are generally cheaper than the BR counterparts, and this can be perceived as a sign of general low quality by consumers, when items are compared with their branded counterparts. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare the nutrient content of BR and PL cereal-based foods, by evaluating the nutritional declaration reported on the food pack of products on the home-shopping website of major retailers present on the Italian market. A total of 3,775 items (~58% BR and ~42% PL), collected in the period from July 2018 to March 2019 and updated in March 2020, were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed by means of the Mann–Whitney nonparametric test for two independent samples for differences between BR and PL categories and types. Overall, BR products showed higher contents of total and saturates than PL items. When products were grouped for categories and types, items only differed for the content of total fats, saturates, total carbohydrates, proteins, and salt. No differences were instead found for energy and sugar contents among any of the categories. However, we did not find any consistency in the direction of results. These results could be useful for future education activities aimed to help consumers in making informed food choices.
HGF and MET: From Brain Development to Neurological Disorders

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor, encoded by the MET cellular proto-oncogene, are expressed in the nervous system from pre-natal development to adult life, where they are involved in neuronal growth and survival. In this review, we highlight, beyond the neurotrophic action, novel roles of HGF-MET in synaptogenesis during post-natal brain development and the connection between deregulation of MET expression and developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). On the pharmacology side, HGF-induced MET activation exerts beneficial neuroprotective effects also in adulthood, specifically in neurodegenerative disease, and in preclinical models of cerebral ischemia, spinal cord injuries, and neurological pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). HGF is a key factor preventing neuronal death and promoting survival through pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory mechanisms. Recent evidence suggests that HGF acts on neural stem cells to enhance neuroregeneration. The possible therapeutic application of HGF and HGF mimetics for the treatment of neurological disorders is discussed.
Akt Phosphorylation Influences Persistent Chlamydial Infection and Chlamydia-Induced Golgi Fragmentation Without Involving Rab14

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes multiple diseases involving the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system. Previous studies have identified that in acute chlamydial infection, C. trachomatis requires Akt pathway phosphorylation and Rab14-positive vesicles to transmit essential lipids from the Golgi apparatus in survival and replication. However, the roles that Akt phosphorylation and Rab14 play in persistent chlamydial infection remain unclear. Here, we discovered that the level of Akt phosphorylation was lower in persistent chlamydial infection, and positively correlated with the effect of activating the development of Chlamydia but did not change the infectivity and 16s rRNA gene expression. Rab14 was found to exert a limited effect on persistent infection. Akt phosphorylation might regulate Chlamydia development and Chlamydia-induced Golgi fragmentation in persistent infection without involving Rab14. Our results provide a new insight regarding the potential of synergistic repressive effects of an Akt inhibitor with antibiotics in the treatment of persistent chlamydial infection induced by penicillin.
Early Population Dynamics of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” in Susceptible and Resistant Genotypes After Inoculation With Infected Diaphorina citri Feeding on Young Shoots

Huanglongbing is a highly destructive citrus disease associated with “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (Las), a phloem−limited and non-culturable bacterium, naturally transmitted by the psyllid Diaphorina citri. Although diverse approaches have been used to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogen–host interaction, such approaches have focused on already infected and/or symptomatic plants, missing early events in the initial days post-inoculation. This study aimed to identify the time course of Las multiplication and whole-plant colonization immediately following inoculation by infected psyllids feeding for 2 days. Thus, the experimental approach was to track Las titers after psyllid inoculation in new shoots (NS) of Citrus × sinensis (susceptible), Murraya paniculata (partially resistant), and Bergera koenigii (fully resistant). Soon after psyllid removal, Las titers dropped until the 10–12th days in all three species. Following this, Las titers increased exponentially only in C. × sinensis and M. paniculata, indicating active bacterial multiplication. In C. × sinensis, Las reached a stationary phase at ∼5 log Las cells/g of tissue from the 40th day onward, while in M. paniculata, Las increased at a lower rate of up to ∼3 log Las cells/g of tissue between the 40th and 60th days, decreasing gradually thereafter and becoming undetectable from the 160th day onward. In B. koenigii, Las titers decreased from the start and remained undetectable. In C. × sinensis, an average of 2.6 log of Las cells/g of tissue was necessary for Las to move out of 50% of the NS in 23.6 days and to colonize the rest of the plant, causing a successful infection. Conversely, the probability of Las moving out of the NS remained below 50% in M. paniculata and zero in B. koenigii. To our knowledge, this is the first study on Las dynamics and whole-plant colonization during the earliest stages of infection. Identification of critical time-points for either successful multiplication or Las resistance may help to elucidate initial events of Las–host interactions that may be missed due to longer sampling intervals and at later stages of infection.
CD58 Immunobiology at a Glance

The glycoprotein CD58, also known as lymphocyte-function antigen 3 (LFA-3), is a costimulatory receptor distributed on a broad range of human tissue cells. Its natural ligand CD2 is primarily expressed on the surface of T/NK cells. The CD2-CD58 interaction is an important component of the immunological synapse (IS) that induces activation and proliferation of T/NK cells and triggers a series of intracellular signaling in T/NK cells and target cells, respectively, in addition to promoting cell adhesion and recognition. Furthermore, a soluble form of CD58 (sCD58) is also present in cellular supernatant in vitro and in local tissues in vivo. The sCD58 is involved in T/NK cell-mediated immune responses as an immunosuppressive factor by affecting CD2-CD58 interaction. Altered accumulation of sCD58 may lead to immunosuppression of T/NK cells in the tumor microenvironment, allowing sCD58 as a novel immunotherapeutic target. Recently, the crucial roles of costimulatory molecule CD58 in immunomodulation seem to be reattracting the interests of investigators. In particular, the CD2-CD58 interaction is involved in the regulation of antiviral responses, inflammatory responses in autoimmune diseases, immune rejection of transplantation, and immune evasion of tumor cells. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of CD58 immunobiology.
Behavioral Risk Factors and Adherence to Preventive Measures: Evidence From the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Behavioral risk factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, and unhealthy food intake are added risk factors for severe outcomes of COVID-19 infections. Preventive measures to avoid infections are therefore particularly important for individuals engaging in behavioral risk factors. We seek to determine whether behavioral risk factors (BRFs) play a significant role in the adherence to preventive COVID-19 measures in a population aged 50 and above. The SHARE wave 8 (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) and SHARE COVID-19 Survey served as the database, resulting in an analytical sample of 17,588 respondents from 23 European countries plus Israel. Of these 36.04% engaged in at least one BRF and 16.68% engaged in 3 or more BRFs. Multilevel logistic regressions revealed that engagement in one BRF was significantly associated with less adherence to hygiene preventive measures, i.e., hand-sanitizing, hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78; 0.94), as was engagement in two BRFs (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.74; 0.97) and three or more BRFs (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.59; 0.88). No such association was found between engagement in BRFs and adherences to social isolation preventive measures, i.e., avoiding meeting more than five people, visiting others or going shopping, or regulated preventive measures, i.e., wearing a mask and keeping physical distance. The found association was also stronger when three or more BRFs were engaged in (1 vs. 3 BRFs: χ2 = 3.43, p = 0.06; 2 vs. 3 BRFs: χ2 = 6.05; p = 0.01). The study gives insight into the protective behavior of a population with inherent vulnerability during a global health emergency. It lays the foundation for follow-up research about the evolution of adherence to preventive measures as the pandemic progresses and about long-term behavioral changes. In addition, it can aide efforts in increasing preventive compliance by raising awareness of the added risk behavioral risk factors pose.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antidepressant by Minimally-Invasive Techniques in Eating Disorders Patients: A Clinical Research Report with A Focus on Vortioxetine

Objective: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is an evidence-based practice consistent with the assumption that pharmacological plasmatic concentrations correlate better with clinical effects than prescribed doses of the used drugs. Considering the limited efficacy of Eating Disorders (ED)’s pharmacological treatment and the high rate of adverse effects, TDM may represent a valid tool to check antidepressant drugs (AD) that are frequently prescribed in patients with ED. We aim to test the feasibility of TDM in a real-life setting and to understand the reliability of oral fluid measurements related to whole blood ones. Methods: We enrolled patients attending the ED outpatient clinic in Bologna with a Body Mass Index (BMI) 30 kg/m2 treated with antidepressants. We collected oral fluid samples and whole blood dried microsamples by finger puncture using VAMS (Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling) technique from patients to determineTDM. Results: Nineteen patients participated in our study. Participants were treated with Sertraline (N=5), Fluoxetine (N=6), Vortioxetine (N=4), Citalopram (N=2), Escitalopram (N=1), Fluvoxamine (N=1). Preliminary results by our pilot research report show a positive correlation between plasmatic and salivary concentrations only for Vortioxetine. Additionally, only the Vortioxetine shows a pattern of plasmatic concentrations independent from the volume of distribution at the steady-state, even though the wide range of BMI. Conclusions: Despite the small size of the sample, by considering these preliminary data, we are confident that further studies will allow us to outline that TDM may represent a valid tool to achieve a consistent clinical efficacy of AD in patients diagnosed with ED.
The Role of MMP-9 rs 3918242 genetic variant in association between MMP-9 serum level with risk factors of acute ischemic stroke

The Role of MMP-9 rs 3918242 genetic variant in association between MMP-9 serum level with risk factors of acute ischemic stroke Meyvita Silviana1*, Dodik Tugasworo2, Amin Husni2 Background: Increased serum MMP-9 level is known to be biomarker of atherosclerotic events and risk of cerebrovascular disease. Risk factors for acute ischemic stroke are known to be related to serum MMP-9 level. The genetic variant of MMP-9 rs3918242 is known to have a role in serum MMP-9 level. The aim of the study is to determine the role of MMP-9 rs 3918242 genetic variant in association between MMP-9 serum level with risk factors of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with an observational analytic design. 62 subjects of acute ischemic stroke treated at Dr. Kariadi Hospital Semarang from October 2018 to February 2019 were involved in this study. Statistical analysis was assessed by the bivariate test and followed by a logistic regression test. Results: From 62 subjects in this study, 45 (72.6%) had high serum MMP-9 level. The association between serum MMP-9 level with risk factors of acute ischemic stroke was statistically significant in hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and hyperuricemia. There is a positive correlation of serum MMP-9 level with a number of acute ischemic stroke factors. In multivariate analysis, the most influential variables were obesity and hyperuricemia. CC Genetic Variant has a role in the association between serum MMP-9 level with risk factors of acute ischemic stroke, which are hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity, and hyperuricemia. Meanwhile, CT genetic variants only play a role in the association of serum MMP-9 levels with obesity and hyperuricemia as the risk factors for acute ischemic stroke. Conclusion: CC genetic variants with high serum MMP-9 levels are associated with more acute ischemic stroke risk factors than CT genetic variants with high MMP-9 serum levels. Therefore, CC genetic variants have the potential to pose more risk of acute ischemic stroke.
The Study of effective factors (economic factors, psychological factors and personality and policymaking factors) on the participation of Tehran citizens in the preservation ,rehabilitation and the development of environment

This study aimed to investigate the effective factors participation of citizens in preserving and restoring the district 8 environment of Tehran. The present study is practical and in terms of how to collect the data is descriptive research and non-empirical. So this study is analyzed correlations and in terms of studied approach is survey and was conducted by questionnaire. The population of this study consisted of all the population citizens of District 8 in Tehran that participated in courses related to the environment and its problems. Due to the low number of statistical population (N = 364) were selected by census method and the total statistical population were selected as sample. In this study were used of experts, professors, experts to determine the validity of questionnaire. And then to verify the reliability of questionnaires from the perspective of experts, questionnaires were distributed for study and the main questionnaire developed and 30 questionnaires were distributed after the process: so Preliminary tests were completed and Cronbach's alpha were calculated for the questionnaire (80%). Results showed that there are significant correlation between economical factors, psychological and personality variables of citizen participation in preserving and restoring the environment at the 99% level and there is a significant correlation between policy factors with the dependent variable of citizen participation in preserving and restoring the environment to 95% level. The regression analysis in the field Study of the effective Factor participation of citizens in preserving and restoring the environment showed that the variables (economic factors, psychological factors and personality factors and policy) that determin65% (0.65 = R2 determination coefficient) of the variation in the dependent variable of citizen participation in preserving and restoring the environment and the rest will be due to other factors.
Effect of Post-Heat Treatment on the Wear Properties of AlSi10Mg Alloy Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting

© 2020. The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.en which permits the use, redistribution of the material in any medium or format, transforming and building upon the material, provided that the article is properly cited, the use is noncommercial, and no modifications or adaptations are made. Arch. Metall. Mater. 65 (2020), 3, 1073-1080
Development of the design and determination of mode characteristics of block cryoconcentrators for pomegranate juice

The designs of cryoconcentrators of block type BV-2 and BL-20 have been developed. The influence of design and operating parameters on the kinetics of freezing of pomegranate juice was investigated. A decrease in the operating temperature of the refrigeration unit contributes to a more intensive growth of the ice block. When the temperature of the coolant decreases by 1.2 times, the productivity of the BV-2 unit increases by 27 %, and of the BL-20 unit by 12 %. For BL-20, an increase in the initial concentration by 3 times leads to a decrease in productivity by 2.5. 1.5 times. The influence of the temperature of the coolant and the initial concentration of the juice on the rate of concentration change has been determined. At low initial concentrations of solutions (10.15 %), a sharp increase in concentration is observed at the final stage of freezing. The dry matter content of the juice is increased by 16 % at high concentrations, only 4 %. The kinetics of the ice block separation process has been studied. At the first stage (duration 10.15 minutes), the concentration of effluents is 2.3 % higher than the concentration of the solution. On the second, increases by 6.10 %. In the third stage, there is a monotonous decrease in effluent concentration (2.5 % / hour). The results of experimental modeling are generalized. The obtained equation in similarity numbers allows calculating the mass transfer coefficients with an error of no more than 20 %. The developed designs of the BL-20 and BV-2 cryoconcentrators are semi-industrial units. With block cryoconcentration, a concentration of pomegranate juice of 47° Brix was achieved, which is higher than in traditional devices. The results obtained can be applied for further development and creation of industrial plants with optimal improved product parameters.
Assessment of risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jouf, Saudi Arabia

Quantifying risky people for diabetes mellitus is important to allow for rational planning for delaying of the onset of the disease. Therefore, we designed this study to identify people at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus as a key strategy in prevention or delaying onset of diabetes among Saudi population. Subject and Method; one hundred and six Saudi men and women (20 ≥ 65 Yrs.) live in Skaka City share into this cross sectional pilot study as a convenient sample from Saudi community. Two tools used into this study, Sociodemographic and Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Form. Results; The study results estimated that more than one third of the studied sample (36.80%) had moderate risk of diabetes, about one third had high risk of diabetes (34.00%), and only 13.20% had low risk of diabetes. There are statistically significant differences between age, sex, level of education and risk of diabetes. Conclusion/ Interpretation; Saudi nation at risk for diabetes mellitus. They need life modifications. Women and men of all ages should avoid becoming overweight. They should maintain a moderate level of physical activity, avoid smoking, avoid stress, take vegetable and fruits daily, decrease sweets, sugars, and fatty diet.