Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Sensory Quality and the Textural Properties of Functional Oolong Tea-Infused Set Type Yoghurt with Inulin

Set type yoghurts are characterised by a semi-solid texture, which is created during the fermentation process. The tea infusion in this type of yoghurt production can influence the quality of the final product. Therefore, the aim of the experiment was to evaluate the influence of the addition of 3, 6 and 9% inulin to oolong tea-infused yoghurts on the sensory quality. It has been evaluated by trained experts using a Quantitative Descriptive Profile analysis and by consumers using hedonic scaling, as well as on instrumentally evaluated features such as texture, stability and visual parameters. The addition of oolong tea to yoghurt resulted in positive changes in the perception of sweet, peach and nectar odours and flavours, and also creaminess, as well as negative changes in the presence of a bitter taste, the whey presence and a colour intensification towards dark cream (p ≤ 0.05). The addition of inulin to the tested oolong tea yogurts caused a decrease in the whey presence and brightened the yoghurt’s colour (6% and 9%, p ≤ 0.05, respectively), as well as an improved creaminess and an increase in the sweet taste of the yoghurt. It was also observed that the addition of oolong tea deteriorated the instrumentally evaluated texture of the set yoghurts, while inulin at a higher concentration (9%, p ≤ 0.05) increased the firmness and adhesiveness. Moreover, the addition of inulin also had a positive effect on the yoghurt’s stability. The addition of inulin to oolong tea-infused set yoghurts may be valuable both as a source of prebiotic fibre in functional products and as a factor improving the quality of these products.
Survival of Single-Unit Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) and Metal Crowns Placed by Students at an Australian University Dental Clinic over a Five-Year Period

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the survival rate of single-unit porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) and metal crowns placed by dental students at an Australian university undergraduate dental clinic over a five-year period. Complications and the incidences of crown failures were recorded. Clinical records pertaining to single-unit PFM and metal crowns inserted over a five-year period were reviewed, including patient-related, tooth-related, and procedural factors for each crown. Crowns were evaluated as surviving, surviving with complications, or failed. Kaplan–Meier statistical analysis was used to estimate survival rate. , This study is based on a sample of 232 (78.4%) PFM crowns and 64 (21.6%) metal crowns inserted between 2014 and 2018. Cumulatively, 224 (75.7%) were surviving, 48 (16.2%) were surviving but previously had complications, and 24 (8.1%) failed. The 5-year cumulative survival rate of all PFM and metal crowns was 83.9% (0.839 ± 0.038, Kaplan–Meier). The average survival time for all crowns was 4.432 ± 0.089 years. Comparatively, PFM crowns had a higher survival rate at 1 year (0.972 ± 0.010) and 2 years (0.919 ± 0.017), compared to metal crowns at 1 year (0.964 ± 0.011) and 2 years (0.894± 0.018). The survival rate of metal crowns remained constant from 2 years to 4 years and thereafter, whereas there was a continued decline in the survival rate of PFM crowns to 83.2% (0.832 ± 0.038) at 4 years and thereafter. Crowns placed on premolars had the highest cumulative survival rate whereas those placed on molars exhibited the lowest survival rate for the duration of the study period. Despite single-unit PFM crowns having a higher 1- and 2-year survival rate compared to metal crowns, metal crowns had a higher survival rate at 4 years and thereafter. Survival rates are comparable to previous studies.
Elevated Temperature Induced Adaptive Responses of Two Lupine Species at Early Seedling Phase

This study aimed to investigate the impact of climate warming on hormonal traits of invasive and non-invasive plants at the early developmental stage. Two different lupine species—invasive Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. and non-invasive Lupinus luteus L. —were used in this study. Plants were grown in climate chambers under optimal (25 °C) and simulated climate warming conditions (30 °C). The content of phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), ethylene production and the adaptive growth of both species were studied in four-day-old seedlings. A higher content of total IAA, especially of IAA-amides and transportable IAA, as well as higher ethylene emission, was determined to be characteristic for invasive lupine both under optimal and simulated warming conditions. It should be noted that IAA-L-alanine was detected entirely in the invasive plants under both growth temperatures. Further, the ethylene emission values increased significantly in invasive lupine hypocotyls under 30 °C. Invasive plants showed plasticity in their response by reducing growth in a timely manner and adapting to the rise in temperature. Based on the data of the current study, it can be suggested that the invasiveness of both species may be altered under climate warming conditions.
Differential immune imprinting by influenza virus vaccination and infection in nonhuman primates

Significance Immune memory causes the earliest infection by influenza virus to impart a lasting imprint on an individual’s response to later influenza infections or vaccinations. Until recently, that first exposure was always an infection. In the United States and Europe, many infants and toddlers now receive an influenza vaccine before they experience an infection. Because we have little information about immune imprinting by initial exposure to a vaccine, we have studied, in a nonhuman-primate model, how the mode of initial exposure affects primary and secondary antibody responses. Vaccination with influenza hemaglutinnin (HA) protein and infection with a strain bearing the same HA appear to leave distinct imprints—a difference, if confirmed in humans, relevant for next-generation influenza vaccine design. Immune memory of a first infection with influenza virus establishes a lasting imprint. Recall of that memory dominates the response to later infections or vaccinations by antigenically drifted strains. Early childhood immunization before infection may leave an imprint with different characteristics. We report here a comparison of imprinting by vaccination and infection in a small cohort of nonhuman primates (NHPs). We assayed serum antibody responses for binding with hemaglutinnins (HAs) both from the infecting or immunizing strain (H3 A/Aichi 02/1968) and from strains representing later H3 antigenic clusters (“forward breadth”) and examined the effects of defined HA mutations on serum titers. Initial exposure by infection elicited strong HA-binding and neutralizing serum antibody responses but with little forward breadth; initial vaccination with HA from the same strain elicited a weaker response with little neutralizing activity but considerable breadth of binding, not only for later H3 HAs but also for HA of the 2009 H1 new pandemic virus. Memory imprinted by infection, reflected in the response to two immunizing boosts, was largely restricted (as in humans) to the outward-facing HA surface, the principal region of historical variation. Memory imprinted by immunization showed exposure to more widely distributed epitopes, including sites that have not varied during evolution of the H3 HA but that yield nonneutralizing responses. The mode of initial exposure thus affects both the strength of the response and the breadth of the imprint; design of next-generation vaccines will need to take the differences into account.
Diabetic Retinopathy and Hearing Loss: Results from the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey

We investigated the association between the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and hearing loss based on vascular etiology. We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey 2010–2012. Adults aged >40 years with diabetes were enrolled. Demographic, socioeconomic, general medical, noise exposure and biochemical data were used. Participants were classified into three groups: diabetes without DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR); participants were also divided into two groups (middle age (40 ≤ age < 65 years) vs. old age (age ≥ 65 years)). The association between hearing loss and DR was determined using logistic regression analysis. A total of 1045 participants (n = 411, middle-aged group; n = 634, old-age group) were enrolled. Overall, the prevalence of hearing loss was 58.1%, 61.4%, and 85.0% in the no DR, NPDR, and PDR groups, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the logistic regression model showed that there was no significant association between the prevalence of DR and hearing loss in the overall sample. However, the presence of PDR (OR 7.74, 95% CI 2.08–28.82) was significantly associated with hearing loss in the middle-aged group. Middle-aged people with diabetes may have an association between DR severity and hearing loss. The potential role of microvascular diseases in the development of hearing loss, especially in middle-aged patients, could be considered.
Coralyne Radiosensitizes A549 Cells by Upregulation of CDKN1A Expression to Attenuate Radiation Induced G2/M Block of the Cell Cycle

Coralyne is a synthetic analog of berberine related to protoberberine-isoquinoline alkaloids. Isoquinoline derivatives and analogs are renowned as potent radiosensitizers with potential medical application. In the present study, we investigated the effect of coralyne on the cell death, cytoskeletal changes and cell cycle progression of irradiated A549 cells. A clonogenic assay revealed that coralyne pretreatment decreased the viability of A549 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, exposure to coralyne and ionizing radiation (IR) markedly altered the filamentous actin cytoskeletal architecture and integrin-β binding sites of A549 cells. Treatment with 1–25 µM coralyne in combination with 2 Gy of IR significantly reduced the percentage of cells in G2/M phase compared with 2 Gy IR alone. These results indicate that coralyne is a potent radiosensitizing agent that may find an application in medicine.
Imaging of nanoparticle uptake and kinetics of intracellular trafficking in individual cells†

Live cell imaging is a powerful tool to understand how nano-sized objects, such as the drug carriers used for nanomedicine applications, are taken up and trafficked by cells. Here we visualized human HeLa cells as they took up and trafficked nanoparticles of different sizes and quantified nanoparticle colocalization with different fluorescently-labelled intracellular compartments over time. This allowed us to obtain kinetic profiles of nanoparticle transport towards the lysosomes in individual cells. With a simple theoretical model, we determined the typical departure time of nanoparticles from the cell membrane and typical lysosome arrival time. We compared these kinetics parameters for nanoparticles of different sizes and determined how they vary in individual cells. We also performed a similar analysis for early endocytic compartments through which nanoparticles transit and discuss challenges in quantifying the colocalization in this case. The results show a high variability in intracellular trafficking kinetics between individual cells. Additionally, they help us to understand how nanoparticle properties affect their cellular uptake and intracellular distribution kinetics.
One Week of CDAHFD Induces Steatohepatitis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction with Oxidative Stress in Liver

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been rapidly increasing worldwide. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) has been used to create a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are some reports on the effects on mice of being fed a CDAHFD for long periods of 1 to 3 months. However, the effect of this diet over a short period is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of 1-week CDAHFD feeding on the mouse liver. Feeding a CDAHFD diet for only 1-week induced lipid droplet deposition in the liver with increasing activity of liver-derived enzymes in the plasma. On the other hand, it did not induce fibrosis or cirrhosis. Additionally, it was demonstrated that CDAHFD significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration with severe oxidative stress to the liver, which is associated with a decreasing mitochondrial DNA copy number and complex proteins. In the gene expression analysis of the liver, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were significantly increased by CDAHFD. These results demonstrated that 1 week of feeding CDAHFD to mice induces steatohepatitis with mitochondrial dysfunction and severe oxidative stress, without fibrosis, which can partially mimic the early stage of NASH in humans.
Tuning Gold Nanorod Synthesis through Prereduction with Salicylic Acid

Successful synthesis of gold nanorods requires subtle combination of additives and reducing species. The latter are of major importance, as the reducing power determines the rate of metallic gold formation, which often defines the final shape and anisotropy. Ascorbic acid is a common reducing agent in the synthesis of gold nanorods, but its relatively strong reducing power limits the tunability of the final shape and optical response. We propose here a bimodal reducing agent system comprising a combination of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid. While salicylic acid prereduces Au(III) to Au(I) in the growth solution, ascorbic acid participates in the autocatalytic reduction of Au(I) to Au(0), selectively occurring on the metallic surface. This combination provides a fine control over gold reduction at any stage of nanorod formation, which in turn leads to improved monodispersity, better reduction yield, and morphology control.
The role of stroke nurses in thrombolysis administration in Australia and the United Kingdom: A cross-sectional survey of current practice.

BACKGROUND The role of stroke nurses in patient selection and administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for acute ischaemic stroke is evolving. OBJECTIVES To compare differences in stroke nurses' practices related to rt-PA administration in Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) and to examine whether these differences influence rt-PA treatment rates. METHODS A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire administered to a lead stroke clinician from hospitals known to provide rt-PA for acute ischaemic stroke. Chi-square tests were used to analyse between-country differences in ten pre-specified rt-PA practices. Non-parametric equality of medians test was used to assess within-country differences for likelihood of undertaking practices and association with rt-PA treatment rates. Reporting followed STROBE checklist. RESULTS Response rate 68%; (Australia: 74% [n = 63/85]; UK: 65% [n = 93/144]). There were significant differences between countries for 7/10 practices. UK nurses were more likely to: request CT scan; screen patient for rt-PA suitability; gain informed consent; use telemedicine to assess, diagnose or treat; assist in the decision for rt-PA with Emergency Department physician or neurologist; and undergo training in rt-PA administration. Reported median hospital rt-PA treatment rates were 12% in the UK and 7.8% in Australia: (7.8%). In Australia, there was an association between higher treatment rates and nurses involvement in 5/10 practices; read and interpret CT scans; screen patient for rt-PA suitability; gain informed consent; assess suitability for rt-PA with neurologist/stroke physician; undergo training in rt-PA administration. There was no relationship between UK treatment rates and likelihood of a stroke nurse to undertake any of the ten rt-PA practices. CONCLUSION Stroke nurses' active role in rt-PA administration can improve rt-PA treatment rates. Models of care that broaden stroke nurses' scope of practice to maximise rt-PA treatment rates for ischaemic stroke patients are needed. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study demonstrates that UK and Australian nurses play an important role in thrombolysis practices; however, they are underused. Formalising and extending the role of stroke nurses in rt-PA administration could potentially increase thrombolysis rates with clinical benefits for patients.
The 15-Months Clinical Experience of SARS-CoV-2: A Literature Review of Therapies and Adjuvants

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) that emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide, with a daily increase in confirmed cases and infection-related deaths. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. COVID-19 presents flu-like symptoms that become severe in high-risk medically compromised subjects. The aim of this study was to perform an updated overview of the treatments and adjuvant protocols for COVID-19. Methods: A systematic literature search of databases was performed (MEDLINE PubMed, Google Scholar, UpToDate, Embase, and Web of Science) using the keywords: “COVID-19”, “2019-nCoV”, “coronavirus” and “SARS-CoV-2” (date range: 1 January 2019 to 31st October 2020), focused on clinical features and treatments. Results: The main treatments retrieved were antivirals, antimalarials, convalescent plasma, immunomodulators, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and mesenchymal stem cells. Most of the described treatments may provide benefits to COVID-19 subjects, but no one protocol has definitively proven its efficacy. Conclusions: While many efforts are being spent worldwide in research aimed at identifying early diagnostic methods and evidence-based effective treatments, mass vaccination is thought to be the best option against this disease in the near future.
Accuracy of Machine Learning Algorithms for the Classification of Molecular Features of Gliomas on MRI: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Simple Summary Glioma prognosis and treatment are based on histopathological characteristics and molecular profile. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (2016), the most important molecular diagnostic markers include IDH1/2-genotype and 1p/19q codeletion status, although more recent publications also include ARTX genotype and TERT- and MGMT promoter methylation. Machine learning algorithms (MLAs), however, were described to successfully determine these molecular characteristics non-invasively by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to define the diagnostic accuracy of MLAs with regard to these different molecular markers. We found high accuracies of MLAs to predict each individual molecular marker, with IDH1/2-genotype being the most investigated and the most accurate. Radiogenomics could therefore be a promising tool for discriminating genetically determined gliomas in a non-invasive fashion. Although encouraging results are presented here, large-scale, prospective trials with external validation groups are warranted. Abstract Treatment planning and prognosis in glioma treatment are based on the classification into low- and high-grade oligodendroglioma or astrocytoma, which is mainly based on molecular characteristics (IDH1/2- and 1p/19q codeletion status). It would be of great value if this classification could be made reliably before surgery, without biopsy. Machine learning algorithms (MLAs) could play a role in achieving this by enabling glioma characterization on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data without invasive tissue sampling. The aim of this study is to provide a performance evaluation and meta-analysis of various MLAs for glioma characterization. Systematic literature search and meta-analysis were performed on the aggregated data, after which subgroup analyses for several target conditions were conducted. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020191033. We identified 724 studies; 60 and 17 studies were eligible to be included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. Meta-analysis showed excellent accuracy for all subgroups, with the classification of 1p/19q codeletion status scoring significantly poorer than other subgroups (AUC: 0.748, p = 0.132). There was considerable heterogeneity among some of the included studies. Although promising results were found with regard to the ability of MLA-tools to be used for the non-invasive classification of gliomas, large-scale, prospective trials with external validation are warranted in the future.
Higher EU-TIRADS-Score Correlated with BRAF V600E Positivity in the Early Stage of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

The data demonstrating a correlation between sonographic markers of malignancy of thyroid cancer (TC) and its genetic status are scarce. This study aimed to assess whether the addition of genetic analysis at the preoperative step of TC patients’ stratification could aid their clinical management. The material consisted of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor fragments of 49 patients who underwent thyroidectomy during the early stages of papillary TC (PTC). Tumor DNA and RNA were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) on Ion Proton using the Oncomine™ Comprehensive Assay panel. We observed a significant correlation between BRAF V600E and a higher EU-TIRADS score (p-value = 0.02) with a correlation between hypoechogenicity and taller-than-wide tumor shape in analysed patients. There were no other significant associations between the identified genetic variants and other clinicopathological features. For TC patient’s stratification, a strong suspicion of BRAF V600E negativity in preoperative management of TC patients could limit the over-treatment of asymptomatic, very low-risk, indolent disease and leave room for active surveillance.
Culturable Seed Microbiota of Populus trichocarpa

Plants harbor a diverse community of microbes, whose interactions with their host and each other can influence plant health and fitness. While microbiota in plant vegetative tissues has been extensively studied, less is known about members of the seed microbiota. We used culture-based surveys to identify bacteria and fungi found in the seeds of the model tree, Populus trichocarpa, collected from different sites. We found that individual P. trichocarpa seeds typically contained zero or one microbe, with common taxa including species of Cladosporium, Aureobasidium, Diaporthe, Alternaria, and Pseudomonas, a bacterium. Pseudomonas isolates were associated with seed mortality and were negatively associated with the occurrence of fungal isolates within Epicoccum, Alternaria, and Aureobasidium from the same seed. Next, we conducted an inoculation experiment with one of the isolated seed microbes, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, and found that it reduced seed germination and increased seedling mortality for P. trichocarpa. Our findings highlight common fungi and bacteria in the seeds of P. trichocarpa, prompting further study of their functional consequences. Moreover, our study confirms that P. syringae pv. syringae is a seed pathogen of P. trichocarpa and is the first report that P. syringae pv. syringae is a lethal seedling pathogen of P. trichocarpa, allowing for future work on the pathogenicity of this bacterium in seedlings and potential antagonism with other seed microbes.