Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polyphenols and obesity prevention: critical insights on molecular regulation, bioavailability and dose in preclinical and clinical settings

Abstract Obesity represents one of the most important public health challenges of the 21st century and is characterized by a multifactorial etiology in which environmental, behavioral, metabolic, and genetic factors work together. Despite the rapid increase in prevalence of obesity in the last decades, especially in children, it remains a preventable disease. To battle obesity a multisector approach promoting healthier lifestyle in terms of physical activity and nutrition is needed. Specifically, biologically active dietary compounds, as polyphenols, are able to modulate the expression of genes involved in the development and progression of obesity and its comorbidities as demonstrated by multiple studies using different obesity models. However, human studies focusing on the transcriptomic modulation by polyphenols in obese patients are still limited and do not often recapitulate the results obtained in preclinical setting likely due to the underestimation of some variables such as bioavailability, dose and form (native vs. metabolized) of polyphenols used. The aim of this review is to summarize the state-of-art of nutrigenomic in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies as well as clinical trials based on dietary polyphenols to fight obesity. We also critical discuss the variables to be considered to fill the gap between preclinical and clinical settings.
Use of Culture to Reach Metabolically Adequate Beta-cell Dose by Combining Donor Islet Cell Isolates for Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background. Clinical islet transplantation is generally conducted within 72 hours after isolating sufficient beta-cell mass. A preparation that does not meet the sufficient dose can be cultured until this is reached after combination with subsequent ones. This retrospective study examines whether metabolic outcome is influenced by culture duration. Methods. Forty type 1 diabetes recipients of intraportal islet cell grafts under antithymocyte globulin induction and mycophenolate mofetil-tacrolimus maintenance immunosuppression were analyzed. One subgroup (n = 10) was transplanted with preparations cultured for ≥96 hours; in the other subgroup (n = 30) grafts contained similar beta-cell numbers but included isolates that were cultured for a shorter duration. Both subgroups were compared by numbers with plasma C-peptide ≥0.5 ng/mL, low glycemic variability associated with C-peptide ≥1.0 ng/mL, and with insulin independence. Results. The subgroup with all cells cultured ≥96 hours exhibited longer C-peptide ≥0.5 ng/mL (103 versus 48 mo; P = 0.006), and more patients with low glycemic variability and C-peptide ≥1.0 ng/mL, at month 12 (9/10 versus 12/30; P = 0.005) and 24 (7/10 versus 6/30; P = 0.007). In addition, 9/10 became insulin-independent versus 15/30 (P = 0.03). Grafts with all cells cultured ≥96 hours did not contain more beta cells but a higher endocrine purity (49% versus 36%; P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, longer culture duration and older recipient age were independently associated with longer graft function. Conclusions. Human islet isolates with insufficient beta-cell mass for implantation within 72 hours can be cultured for 96 hours and longer to combine multiple preparations in order to reach the desired beta-cell dose and therefore result in a better metabolic benefit.
Residual efficacy of cypermethrin and pirimiphos-methyl against Sitophilus granarius (L.) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) on concrete surface

Residual activity of EC formulations of two insecticides, cypermethrin (combined with the synergist piperonyl butoxide) and pirimiphos-methyl, against Sitophilus granarius (L.) adults and Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) larvae was investigated on concrete surface. The experiment was run indoors at 16-24єC temperature and 30-60% r.h. by applying water solutions of products based on cypermethrin (48 mg AI/m2) and pirimiphos-methyl (750 mg AI/m2) to concrete surface. Insect mortality was estimated after 2, 7 and 14 days of insect exposure to treated concrete and 7 days of recovery on untreated coarse wheat meal at 24-26єC and 55-65% r.h in the laboratory. High efficacy of cypermethrin against S. granarius adults (87-100%) and P. interpunctella larvae (84-100%) was detected after 14 days of exposure to all deposits on concrete surface. Pirimiphos-methyl achieved maximum efficacy (100%) in all treatments of S. granarius adults and P. interpunctella larvae after 2 and 14 days of exposure, regardless of deposit age. After 7 days of recovery, the efficacy of both insecticides mostly increased, especially of cypermethrin, up to around 50% after two days of exposure, up to 24-45% after seven days of exposure and up to 15% after 14 days of exposure. The results show that the EC formulations of cypermethrin and especially of pirimiphos-methyl were highly effective in controlling S. granarius adults and P. interpunctella larvae over a period of 60 days following application to concrete surface. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. III 46008: Development of integrated pest management systems aiming to overcome resistance and improve food quality and safety]
IDENTIFICATION OF X GENE MUTATIONS, GENOTYPE AND SUBGENOTYPE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV)

Infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global health problem, including in Indonesia. There are currently an estimated 2 billion people worldwide are infected with HBV, about 75% of them are in Asia and 350 million of them will develop into chronic hepatitis B. Factors that influence the development of chronic hepatitis B into liver carcinoma include x gene mutation, HBV genotype and subgenotype. This research aims to identify x gene mutation, genotype and subgenotype of HBV infecting hepatitis B patients in Manado associated with the onset of liver carcinoma. HBV DNAs were isolated from blood samples of 30 hepatitis B patients. X gen was amplified using nested PCR with pre-designed primer pairs. Amplified DNA fragments were electrophoresed in 1.5% agarose and visualized under UV. DNA fragments were then separated and purified using Qiagen column, then sequenced to determine their nucleotide sequences of x gene. Amino acid of x protein were deduced from nucleotide sequence of x gene and used as basic to determine HBV genotype and subgenotype. X protein was aligned with those similar protein with the same subgenotype retrieved from GenBank to determine if there was a mutation at amino acid. The mutated x protein were compared with other mutation found in x protein in other literatures associated with the onset of liver carcinoma. Genotype and subgenotype of HBV isolated from blood samples of 10 patients was detected and showed that five patients were infected with B genotype HBV (2 patients were infected with B2 subgenotype, 2 patients with B3 subgenotype and 1 patient with B9 subgenotype). The rest of 5 patients were infected with C genotype HBV (1 patient with C1 subgenotype, 2 patients with C2 subgenotype, and 2 patients with C5 subgenotype). The mutation in x protein is related significantly to the clinical severity of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ie V5L in subgenotype C2, and I127T and H94Y in subgenotype C5.
Osmokinetics: Defining the Characteristics of Osmotic Challenge to the Ocular Surface

Abstract The association of severe dry eye disease with elevated osmolarity in the tear film is a subject of ongoing discussions. As the absolute value of osmolarity in tear film is highly variable, the daily variation in osmolarity (DVO) has recently been proposed to further identify the osmotic stress at the ocular surface. However, the DVO alone does not explain the variations in the available published data or allow their use in diagnostic testing or therapy. We therefore investigated and evaluated further details of osmokinetics and their importance for ocular surface disease on the basis of the available literature. Additionally, osmolarity was measured in the tear samples of volunteers in the morning hours between 8 – 10 a. m. , midday noon–2 p. m. , and afternoon between 3 – 5 p. m. , i.e., during normal office hours. The results were compared with available published data which suggested that within the DVO, the daily maximal amplitude of osmotic variation (M-DVO) and the frequency of osmotic cycles (defined as daily osmolarity cycles, DOC) could be the main factors that further characterize osmokinetics. In addition, a decisive role could be the level of osmolarity at which the variation does occurs (L-DVO). The possible effects of these characteristics on ocular surface pathophysiology are discussed, along with their relationship to topical therapy with hypo-osmolar solutions, and the model of the osmotic roller coaster is introduced.
Expression of selected nuclear genes during leaf development in barley

Groups of cDNA clones encoding abundant leaf proteins or derived from genes (gene families) with other features of interest have been selected from a barley leaf cDNA library. The characteriaztion of nine of the groups is summarized and includes information on the tissue specificity and light dependence of expression of their corresponding genes. Different types of control of gene expression are represented in the collection: leaf-specific expression, both stimulated and inhibited by light, constitutive expression, and expression that is maximal in one case in coleoptiles and in two cases in meristematic tissue. For the light-stimulated genes (gene families) encoding chloroplast proteins (Cab, RbcS, and plastocyanin), relative and absolute levels of messengers were determined as a function of cell age in sections of 7-day-old barley leaves grown under diurnal conditions. Key parameters of cell growth (protein, RNA, and DNA accumulation) were determined in the same leaf sections. The main conclusions of the expression studies are as follows: (1) Light is in no case a requirement for gene expression although it has significant stimulatory effect on some genes; (2) weak expression of some genes coding for chloroplast proteins was detected in the leaf-like, white coleoptiles, whereas expression in roots could not be detected; (3) The cab, rbcS, and plastocyanin genes are expressed very early during leaf cell differentiation, when the plastids morphologically are still in their amyloplast-amoeboid stages; (4) The expression of the cab, rbcS, and plastocyanin genes is not coordinated during leaf cell development.
Effects of Surgically Implanted Transmitter Weights on Growth and Swimming Stamina of Small Adult Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Abstract The generally accepted 2% ratio of transmitter weight to body weight constrains or precludes telemetry studies examining the timing and location of spawning of small adult westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi in headwater streams. We empirically determined effects of surgically implanted dummy transmitters ranging in weight from 1 to 5 g on the swimming stamina and growth of small (81.3–206.9 g) adult westslope cutthroat trout in the laboratory to establish acceptable transmitter weights for field studies on this species. Mean growth rates and swimming stamina were not significantly different among treatments, including controls. No precipitous decline or threshold beyond which performance deteriorated markedly was observed. Data collected using telemetered westslope cutthroat trout implanted with transmitters less than about 4% of body weight should therefore approximate information about untelemetered individuals without significant bias. However, we also detected subtle effect.
Chromosome 6p Amplification in Aqueous Humor Cell-Free DNA Is a Prognostic Biomarker for Retinoblastoma Ocular Survival

Aqueous humor contains tumor-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and can serve as a liquid biopsy for retinoblastoma. We previously associated somatic copy-number alteration (SCNA) 6p gain with a 10-fold increased risk of enucleation. Here we provide a 2-year update to further explore 6p gain as a prognostic biomarker for ocular survival. Patients diagnosed with retinoblastoma from December 2014 to July 2019 from whom aqueous humor was sampled were included. cfDNA was extracted and shallow whole-genome sequencing performed to identify highly recurrent retinoblastoma SCNAs (gain of 1q, 2p, 6p, loss of 13q, 16q). 116 aqueous humor samples from 50 eyes of 46 patients were included: 27 eyes were salvaged, 23 were enucleated. Highly recurrent retinoblastoma SCNAs were found in 66% eyes. 6p gain was the most prevalent SCNA (50% eyes). It was particularly more prevalent in enucleated eyes (73.9%) than in salvaged eyes (29.6%; P = 0.004). 6p gain in aqueous humor cfDNA portended nearly 10-fold increased odds of enucleation (OR = 9.87; 95% confidence interval = 1.75–55.65; P = 0.009). In the enucleated eyes, 6p gain was associated with aggressive histopathologic features, including necrosis, higher degrees of anaplasia, and focal invasion of ocular structures. With extended follow-up and nearly double the aqueous humor samples, we continue to demonstrate 6p gain as a potential prognostic biomarker for retinoblastoma. Implications: Aqueous humor is a high-yield source of tumor-derived DNA in retinoblastoma eyes. Detection of 6p gain in the aqueous humor allows for targeted, patient-centered therapies based on this molecular prognostic marker. Prospective, multicenter studies with aqueous humor sampled from all eyes at diagnosis are warranted to validate these findings.
Efficiency and Effectiveness of Gamma Rays and Sodium Azide in Sesbania cannabina Poir.

Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency is an important factor for the selection of a mutagen for a mutation breeding program. Mutagenic effectiveness is a measure of the frequency of mutations induced by a unit mutagen dose, while mutagenic efficiency is a measure of the proportion of mutations in relation to undesirable changes such as lethality, sterility, meiotic aberrations etc. The present study envisages the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of individual and combined treatments of chemical and physical mutagens i.e. sodium azide (individual), gamma rays (individual) and sodium azide+gamma ray (combined). For the individual treatment of sodium azide, the seeds of the Sesbania cannabina variety nD-1 were treated with 0.5% solution of sodium azide (Sa) for four different time durations, i.e. 3, 5, 7, and 9 h, and for the individual treatment of gamma rays, dry and healthy seeds were treated with 20, 40, 60, and 80 Kr doses of gamma rays. For the combined treatment, the seeds were exposed to four different doses of gamma rays (20, 40, 60, and 80 Kr) and after irradiation seeds were treated with 0.5% solution of sodium azide for 3 h. after treatment, seeds subjected to individual and combined treatment were sown in randomized block design to raise the M1 generation and a study was conducted on germination percentage, survival percentage, pollen fertility percentage, and chromosomal aberrations at different doses of the individual and combined treatments.
Nitrogen fertiliser response of wheat in lupin-wheat, subterranean clover-wheat and continuous wheat rotations.

Response of wheat to 7 rates of nitrogen (N) fertiliser was compared in clover-wheat (CW), lupin-wheat (LW) and continuous wheat (WW) rotations, in 4 alternate years on a grey gravelly sand over ironstone gravel at Badgingarra, during the period 1980-87. Nitrogen fertilisers significantly increased wheat grain yields in all assessment years (1981, 1983, 1985 and 1987). There were significant (P<0.05) interactions between rotation and N fertiliser in all years except 1983, with response to N fertiliser on wheat least in the LW rotation. The apparent average increases in N available in wheat dry matter, without added N, were 10.9 kg/ha from clover and 13 kg/ha from lupins. The contributions from clover and lupins in grain N were 10 and 12.3 kg/ha respectively. Organic carbon and total N levels in the soil were similar in the LW and WW rotations but were less than in the CW rotation. The levels of organic carbon in the LW and WW rotations decreased with time. Despite the difference in soil organic carbon and total N, grain yields were similar for the CW and LW rotations in the absence of N fertiliser but were higher than in the WW rotation. It was concluded that a LW rotation (in this environment) would be as effective, at least over a 6-year period, as a CW rotation in maintaining wheat yields due to the contribution of N from readily decomposible residues from the lupin crop. However, highest yields overall where obtained when N fertiliser was added to the CW rotation.
Does the Clinical Spectrum of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Show Regional Differences?

Copyright © 2020 by Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol. 13, No. 2: 83-84, May 2020 https://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2020. 00612
Control of Methane Metabolism in a Forested Northern Wetland, New York State, by Aeration, Substrates, and Peat Size Fractions

Although many northern peat-forming wetlands (peatlands) are a suitable habitat for anaerobic CH 4 -producing bacteria (methanogens), net CH 4 fluxes are typically low in forested systems. We examined whether soil factors (aeration, substrate availability, peat size fractions) constrained net CH 4 production in peat from a Sphagnum -moss dominated, forested peatland in central New York State. The mean rate of net CH 4 production measured at 24° C was 79 nmol g -1 d -1 , and the mean rate of CO 2 production (respiration) was 5.7 w mol g -1 d -1 , in surface (0 to 10 cm) and subsurface (30 to 40 cm) peat. Saturated peat (900% water content) exposed to oxic conditions for 2 days or 14 days showed no net CH 4 production when subsequently exposed to anoxic conditions. Rates of CO 2 production, measured concomitantly, were essentially the same under oxic and anoxic conditions, and net CH 4 consumption under oxic conditions was barely affected by short-term exposure to anoxic conditions. Therefore, methanogens were particularly sensitive to aeration. Net CH 4 production in whole peat increased within hours of adding either acetate, glucose, or ethanol, substrates that methanogens can convert directly or indirectly into CH 4 , indicating that availability of these substrate might limit net CH 4 production in situ. In longer incubations of 30 days, only ethanol addition stimulated a large increase in net CH 4 production, suggesting growth in the population of methanogens when ethanol was available. We fractionated peat into size fractions and the largest sized fraction (> 1.19 mm), composed mostly of roots, showed the greatest net CH 4 production, although net CH 4 production in smaller fractions showed the largest response to ethanol addition. The circumstantial evidence presented here, that ethanol coming from plant roots supports net CH 4 production in forested sites, merits more research.
Increase in COVID‐19 cases and case‐fatality and case‐recovery rates in Europe: A cross‐temporal meta‐analysis

Abstract The new coronavirus (COVID‐19) infection reported in China in December 2019 has become a pandemic in a few weeks, affecting the entire world. In this respect, it is crucial to determine the case‐increase, case‐fatality, and case‐recovery rates to control COVID‐19. In this study, the case‐increase, case‐fatality, and case‐recovery rates of COVID‐19 in 36 European countries were analyzed with the meta‐analysis method using data released by the health organizations and WHO. The data were obtained from the website of health organizations of 36 European countries and the website of WHO until 11 May 2020. The analyses were carried out on 1 744 704 COVID‐19‐diagnosed cases in 36 European countries. The case‐increase, case‐fatality and case‐recovery rates of COVID‐19 were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), single‐arm meta‐analysis, cross‐temporal meta‐analysis, and meta‐regression random‐effects model. The standardized case‐increase rate of COVID‐19 is 5% (95% CI [0.040, 0.063]) and the average case‐increase rate in European countries has started to decline by around 3% (95% CI [0.047, 0.083]) weekly. The countries with the highest rate of case increase are Belgium, Sweden, Russia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Although the case‐fatality rate of COVID‐19 patients was 4.5% as of May 11 (95% CI [0.037‐0.055]), this rate is 6.3% (95% CI [0.047, 0.083]) in standardized time (6th week). The case‐recovery rates of patients are 46% (95% CI [0.376‐0.547]). This study presents important results regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic in Europe. Although the rate of increase in new COVID‐19 cases has dropped, there is not much decline in the case‐fatality rates and no increase in case‐recovery rates. The case‐fatality rate of COVID‐19 in Europe was estimated to be in the range of 4% to 4.5% and a minimum of 4 weeks (as of 11 May) is expected to have the figure below 1% in a country with an average case‐increase rate. Monitoring case fatalities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden, and treatment successes in Germany and Austria play a role of utmost importance.
Sex-Specific Differences in Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes in Acute Stroke Patients from Qatar

Background: Sex differences may determine presentation, utility of treatment, rehabilitation, and occurrences of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in acute stroke (AS). Objective:The purpose of the study was to evaluate the short-term prognosis and long-term outcomes in MACEs in Qatari nationals admitted with AS. Methods: All AS patients admitted between January 2014 and February 2019 were included. We evaluated the preadmission modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, etiology and severity of symptoms, complications, and functional recovery at discharge and 90 days. MACEs were recorded for 5 years. Results: There were 891 admissions for AS (mean age 64.0 ± 14.2 years) (male, n = 519 [mean age ± SD 62.9 ± 14.1 years]; female, n = 372 [mean age ± SD 65.6 ± 14.2 years] p = 0.005). There were no differences in the preadmission mRS and severity of symptoms as measured on National Institute of Stroke Scale. At discharge, the outcome was better (mRS 0–2) in men (57.8 vs. 46.0%), p = 0.0001. This difference persisted at the 90-day follow-up (mRS 0–2, male 69.4% vs. female 53.2%, p = 0.0001). At the 90-day follow-up, more women died (total deaths 70; women 38 [10.2%] versus men 32 [6.2%], p = 0.03). MACEs occurred in 25.6% (133/519) males and 30.9% (115/372) females over the 5-year follow-up period (odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.57–1.0, p = 0.83). Conclusions: Female patients have a poor short-term outcome following an AS when corrected for age and comorbidities. While our study cannot explain the reasons for the discrepancies, higher poststroke depression and social isolation in women may be important contributory factors, and requires further studies are required to confirm these findings.