Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Three Types of Polymeric Proanthocyanidins on Physicochemical and In Vitro Digestive Properties of Potato Starch

The effects of three types of polymeric proanthocyanidins (PPC) with different degrees of polymerization (DP), namely PPC1 (DP = 6.39 ± 0.13), PPC2 (DP = 8.21 ± 0.76), and PPC3 (DP = 9.92 ± 0.21), on the physicochemical characteristics and in vitro starch digestibility of potato starch were studied. PPC addition (5%, w/w) increased the gelatinization temperature and decreased some viscosity indices of potato starch, including the peak, trough, breakdown, and setback viscosities. Starch-PPC pastes showed reduced thixotropy and improved stability and gelling properties compared to starch paste. The three types of proanthocyanidins all showed evident inhibitory effects on the digestion and retrogradation of potato starch, including short-term and long-term retrogradation. Among the three, PPC with a lower DP had stronger effects on the starch short-term retrogradation and gelling performance, whereas larger PPC molecules exhibited a greater impact on starch recrystallization and digestive characteristics. The research consequences were conducive to explore the application of functional PPC in starch-based food processing.
Genome-Wide Transcriptomic Analysis of Non-Tumorigenic Tissues Reveals Aging-Related Prognostic Markers and Drug Targets in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary Few studies have employed expression data of normal tissues to explore the survival of cancer patients. Hence, we identified aging-related genes and microRNAs in normal tissues from patients with various types of cancer and investigated their effects on survival. We built statistical models to predict the survival of cancer patients using the expression levels of aging-related genes and microRNAs. We found that five aging-related genes (DUSP22, MAPK14, MAPKAPK3, STAT1, and VCP) from kidney cancer patients were significantly related to patient survival. We experimentally showed that there is an increase in the five aging-related genes in the macrophages of aged mice and, among these five genes, the invasion of cancer cells is inhibited by downregulating DUSP22. Using the zebrafish model of tumor cell dissemination, it was also confirmed that in vivo treatment with a small molecule inhibitor of DUSP22 blocked the metastasis of cancer cells in the early stage. Abstract The relationship between expression of aging-related genes in normal tissues and cancer patient survival has not been assessed. We developed a genome-wide transcriptomic analysis approach for normal tissues adjacent to the tumor to identify aging-related transcripts associated with survival outcome, and applied it to 12 cancer types. As a result, five aging-related genes (DUSP22, MAPK14, MAPKAPK3, STAT1, and VCP) in normal tissues were found to be significantly associated with a worse survival outcome in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This computational approach was investigated using nontumorigenic immune cells purified from young and aged mice. Aged immune cells showed upregulated expression of all five aging-related genes and promoted RCC invasion compared to young immune cells. Further studies revealed DUSP22 as a regulator and druggable target of metastasis. DUSP22 gene knockdown reduced RCC invasion and the small molecule inhibitor BML-260 prevented RCC dissemination in a tumor/immune cell xenograft model. Overall, these results demonstrate that deciphering the relationship between aging-related gene expression in normal tissues and cancer patient survival can provide new prognostic markers, regulators of tumorigenesis and novel targets for drug development.
Conserved Opposite Functions in Plant Resistance to Biotrophic and Necrotrophic Pathogens of the Immune Regulator SRFR1

Plant immunity is mediated in large part by specific interactions between a host resistance protein and a pathogen effector protein, named effector-triggered immunity (ETI). ETI needs to be tightly controlled both positively and negatively to enable normal plant growth because constitutively activated defense responses are detrimental to the host. In previous work, we reported that mutations in SUPPRESSOR OF rps4-RLD1 (SRFR1), identified in a suppressor screen, reactivated EDS1-dependent ETI to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000. Besides, mutations in SRFR1 boosted defense responses to the generalist chewing insect Spodoptera exigua and the sugar beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. Here, we show that mutations in SRFR1 enhance susceptibility to the fungal necrotrophs Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) and Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis. To translate knowledge obtained in AtSRFR1 research to crops, we generated SlSRFR1 alleles in tomato using a CRISPR/Cas9 system. Interestingly, slsrfr1 mutants increased expression of SA-pathway defense genes and enhanced resistance to Pto DC3000. In contrast, slsrfr1 mutants elevated susceptibility to FOL. Together, these data suggest that SRFR1 is functionally conserved in both Arabidopsis and tomato and functions antagonistically as a negative regulator to (hemi-) biotrophic pathogens and a positive regulator to necrotrophic pathogens.
Molecular and Morphological Assessment of Septoria Species Associated with Ornamental Plants in Yunnan Province, China

The Karst landform is the main geographic characteristic in South China. Such areas are rich in vegetation and especially suitable for growth of shrubs and herbaceous plants. In this study, 11 Septoria strains were obtained from different plants’ leaves collected in the Kunming Botanical Garden, Yunnan Province, China. Based on single-gene and multi-gene analyses of five gene loci (tef1, rpb2, tub2, ITS, and LSU) and four gene regions (without LSU), these strains were found to belong to three independent phylogenetic lineages representing five species, including four novel taxa, and one new record for China. Five single gene trees were also provided to evaluate the effectiveness of each gene for discriminating the species, as a result of which tub2 was found to have the most suitable DNA barcode for rapid identification. Morphological descriptions, illustrations, and comparisons are provided for a more comprehensive assessment. Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR) with a pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) test was used to evaluate the conclusions of the phylogenetic analyses.
Rectus Femoris Mimicking Ultrasound Phantom for Muscle Mass Assessment: Design, Research, and Training Application

Ultrasound has become widely used as a means to measure the rectus femoris muscle in the acute and chronic phases of critical illness. Despite its noninvasiveness and accessibility, its accuracy highly depends on the skills of the technician. However, few ultrasound phantoms for the confirmation of its accuracy or to improve technical skills exist. In this study, the authors created a novel phantom model and used it for investigating the accuracy of measurements and for training. Study 1 investigated how various conditions affect ultrasound measurements such as thickness, cross-sectional area, and echogenicity. Study 2 investigated if the phantom can be used for the training of various health care providers in vitro and in vivo. Study 1 showed that thickness, cross-sectional area, and echogenicity were affected by probe compression strength, probe angle, phantom compression, and varying equipment. Study 2 in vitro showed that using the phantom for training improved the accuracy of the measurements taken within the phantom, and Study 2 in vivo showed the phantom training had a short-term effect on improving the measurement accuracy in a human volunteer. The new ultrasound phantom model revealed that various conditions affected ultrasound measurements, and phantom training improved the measurement accuracy.
Distinct Gene Expression Profiles in Colonic Organoids from Normotensive and the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Hypertension is associated with gut bacterial dysbiosis and gut pathology in animal models and people. Butyrate-producing gut bacteria are decreased in hypertension. RNA-seq analysis of gut colonic organoids prepared from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats was used to test the hypothesis that impaired interactions between the gut microbiome and gut epithelium are involved and that these would be remediated with butyrate supplementation. Gene expressions in immune responses including antigen presentation and antiviral pathways were decreased in the gut epithelium of the SHR in organoids and confirmed in vivo; these deficits were corrected by butyrate supplementation. Deficits in gene expression driving epithelial proliferation and differentiation were also observed in SHR. These findings highlight the importance of aligned interactions of the gut microbiome and gut immune responses to blood pressure homeostasis.
CMPC: An Innovative Lidar-Based Method to Estimate Tree Canopy Meshing-Profile Volumes for Orchard Target-Oriented Spray

Canopy characterization detection is essential for target-oriented spray, which minimizes pesticide residues in fruits, pesticide wastage, and pollution. In this study, a novel canopy meshing-profile characterization (CMPC) method based on light detection and ranging (LiDAR)point-cloud data was designed for high-precision canopy volume calculations. First, the accuracy and viability of this method were tested using a simulated canopy. The results show that the CMPC method can accurately characterize the 3D profiles of the simulated canopy. These simulated canopy profiles were similar to those obtained from manual measurements, and the measured canopy volume achieved an accuracy of 93.3%. Second, the feasibility of the method was verified by a field experiment where the canopy 3D stereogram and cross-sectional profiles were obtained via CMPC. The results show that the 3D stereogram exhibited a high degree of similarity with the tree canopy, although there were some differences at the edges, where the canopy was sparse. The CMPC-derived cross-sectional profiles matched the manually measured results well. The CMPC method achieved an accuracy of 96.3% when the tree canopy was detected by LiDAR at a moving speed of 1.2 m/s. The accuracy of the LiDAR system was virtually unchanged when the moving speeds was reduced to 1 m/s. No detection lag was observed when comparing the start and end positions of the cross-section. Different CMPC grid sizes were also evaluated. Small grid sizes (0.01 m × 0.01 m and 0.025 m × 0.025 m) were suitable for characterizing the finer details of a canopy, whereas grid sizes of 0.1 m × 0.1 m or larger can be used for characterizing its overall profile and volume. The results of this study can be used as a technical reference for the development of a LiDAR-based target-oriented spray system.
Multi-Approach Assessment for Stress Evaluation in Rainbow Trout Females, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792) from Three Different Farms during the Summer Season

Simple Summary Rainbow trout is one of the main freshwater fish species farmed in Romania, in a temperate continental climate. Blood biochemistry parameter values are well known for humans and other higher vertebrates, including some species of fish, and are fundamental for the assessment of physiological status. In this study, we examined the physicochemical parameters of water quality and the blood profile (hematological and hormonal profiles, antioxidant enzyme activities) of rainbow trout females reared in three farms, during the summer season, to monitor stress. These findings permit the progress of knowledge of blood parameters in fish and will encourage efforts to expand hematological and biochemical studies to assess the health of salmonids, which is essential for the sustainable development of aquaculture. Abstract Blood biochemistry parameters are valuable tools for monitoring fish health. Their baseline values are still undefined for a multitude of farmed fish species. In this study, changes in the blood profile of rainbow trout females (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from three farms were investigated using different biomarkers during the summer season. In the given context, the main water physicochemical parameters were investigated and twelve biochemical parameters were measured from blood samples of rainbow trout reared in the Fiad, Șoimul de Jos, and Strâmba farms. We selected these farms because the genetic background of the rainbow trout is the same, with all studied specimens coming from the Fiad farm, which has an incubation station. Forty-five samples were collected monthly (May to August) throughout summer to observe the changes in the blood profile of rainbow trout. Principal component analysis showed a clear separation both among the studied farms and months. Furthermore, significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the majority of the biochemical parameters were found, indicating that the environmental parameters can influence several blood parameters at the same time. The present study provides several useful norms for assessing the welfare of rainbow trout, indicating that the relationships among different parameters are important factors in interpreting the blood biochemical profiles.
Examining Reciprocal Links between Parental Autonomy-Support and Children’s Peer Preference in Mainland China

The present study examined the longitudinal relations between child perceptions of parental autonomy-support and peer preference in mainland China. Participants were N = 758 children (50.8% boys; Mage = 10.78 years, SD = 1.03 at Wave 1; Mage = 11.72 years, SD = 1.11 at Wave 2; Mage = 12.65 years, SD = 0.95 at Wave 3) from elementary and middle schools in Shanghai, P.R. China. Children were followed over three years from Grades 4–6 to Grades 6–8. Each year, children reported their perceived maternal/paternal autonomy-support and peer preference (being well-liked among peers) was measured via peer nominations. Among the results, peer preference positively predicted later perceptions of maternal and paternal autonomy-supportive parenting, whereas autonomy-supportive parenting did not significantly predict later peer preference. Results are discussed in terms of the interactions between parental autonomy-supportive parenting and children’s peer relationships in Chinese culture.
Design and Analysis of a Radio-Frequency Moisture Sensor for Grain Based on the Difference Method

Grain moisture is one of the key indexes of grain quality, and acquiring an accurate moisture value is critical for grain storage security. However, the sensors used in the traditional methods for testing grain moisture are based on capacitance, microwave, or radio-frequency methods and still exhibit low accuracy and instability because they are susceptible to the temperature, moisture, and micro gas flow of the air in the granary. In this study, we employed a new design for a radio-frequency moisture sensor for grain. The structure of the sensor is based on the difference method and consists of two parallel probe units. These units are at different distances to the tested grain, resulting in different sensitivities in the moisture measurements. Through a phase difference operation on the test signals, the disturbance variable was reduced. The specific size of the two parallel probes was confirmed by calculation and simulation using High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software. The simulated and measured parameters of a prototype sensor agreed well. The linear relationship yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.9904, and the average error of the moisture testing was within ±0.3% under the conditions where the VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio) value and return losses were 1.5896 and −20 dB, respectively, at a measured central frequency of 100 MHz. The results indicate that the performance of the sensor was excellent.
Robust Korean License Plate Recognition Based on Deep Neural Networks

With the rapid rise of private vehicles around the world, License Plate Recognition (LPR) plays a vital role in supporting the government to manage vehicles effectively. However, an introduction of new types of license plate (LP) or slight changes in the LP format can break previous LPR systems, as they fail to recognize the LP. Moreover, the LPR system is extremely sensitive to the conditions of the surrounding environment. Thus, this paper introduces a novel deep learning-based Korean LPR system that can effectively deal with existing challenges. The main contributions of this study include (1) a robust LPR system with the integration of three pre-processing techniques (defogging, low-light enhancement, and super-resolution) that can effectively recognize the LP under various conditions, (2) the establishment of two original Korean LPR approaches for different scenarios, including whole license plate recognition (W-LPR) and single-character license plate recognition (SC-LPR), and (3) the introduction of two Korean LPR datasets (synthetic data and real data) involving a new type of LP introduced by the Korean government. Through several experiments, the proposed LPR framework achieved the highest recognition accuracy of 98.94%.
Molecular Detection and Genetic Identification of Rickettsia Infection in Ixodes granulatus Ticks, an Incriminated Vector for Geographical Transmission in Taiwan

Tick-borne Rickettsia pathogens have become an emerging source of zoonotic infections and have a major impact on human health worldwide. In this study, the prevalence and genetic identity of Rickettsia infections in Ixodes granulatus ticks was firstly determined in Kinmen Island of Taiwan. A total of 247 I. granulatus ticks were examined for Rickettsia infection by nested-PCR assay targeting the citrate synthase (gltA) gene of Rickettsia. The Rickettsia infection was detected with a general infection rate of 4.86%, and was detected in nymph, male and female stages with an infection rate of 3.81%, 0% and 6.84%, respectively. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed by comparing the gltA sequences obtained from four Taiwan strains and 19 other strains representing 13 genospecies of Rickettsia. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that all Taiwan strains were genetically affiliated to the genospecies of spotted fever (R. parkeri) and transitional (R. felis) groups of Rickettsia. Our findings reveal the first detection of R. parkeri-like and R. felis in I. granulatus ticks from Kinmen Island. As a tourist island between Taiwan and mainland China, these results demonstrate the epidemiological significance of diverse Rickettsia species existed in I. granulatus ticks and highlight the potential threat of geographical transmission among humans in the Taiwan area.
Failure Rate, Marginal Bone Loss, and Pink Esthetic with Socket-Shield Technique for Immediate Dental Implant Placement in the Esthetic Zone. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Simple Summary The socket-shield technique has been proposed for preserving the bone ridge and surrounding soft tissues with immediate implantation in the extraction socket, maintaining the buccal wall fragment of the dental root. However, the socket-shield technique has not been compared with the conventional technique for immediate dental implant placement in the esthetic zone regarding the failure rate, marginal bone loss, and pink esthetic. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a systematic review and meta-analysis that provides evidence associated with the prognosis when using the socket-shield technique compared to the conventional technique. Abstract Aim: To compare the failure rate, marginal bone loss, and pink esthetic for the socket-shield technique and the conventional technique for immediate dental implant placement in the esthetic zone. Material and methods: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations, of clinical studies that evaluated the failure rate, marginal bone loss, and pink esthetic with the socket-shield technique for immediate dental implant placement in the esthetic zone was performed. A total of 4 databases were consulted in the literature search: PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. After eliminating duplicated articles and applying the inclusion criteria, 16 articles were selected for the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results: Four randomized controlled trials, five prospective clinical studies, four retrospective studies, and three case series were included in the meta-analysis. The dental implant failure rate for the socket-shield technique for immediate dental implant placement was 1.37% (95% CI, 0.21–2.54%); however, no statistically significant differences between the conventional and socket-shield technique were found. The estimated mean difference in the marginal bone loss for the socket-shield technique was −0.5 mm (95% CI, −0.82 to −0.18) and statistically significant (p < 0.01), with a high heterogeneity (I2 = 99%). The mean pink esthetic score was 12.27 (Q test = 4.47; p-value = 0.61; I2 = 0%). The difference in pink esthetic between the conventional (n = 55) and socket-shield techniques (n = 55) for immediate dental implant placement was 1.15 (95% CI, 0.73–1.58; Q test = 8.88; p value = 0.11; I2 = 44%). The follow-up time was found to be significant (beta coefficient = 0.023; R2 = 85.6%; QM = 3.82; p = 0.049) for the PES for the socket-shield technique. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this systematic review with meta-analysis, the dental implant failure rate did not differ between the socket-shield technique and conventional technique for immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone. However, a lower marginal bone loss and higher pink esthetic scores were found for the socket-shield technique compared to the conventional technique.
Calcium Chelidonate: Semi-Synthesis, Crystallography, and Osteoinductive Activity In Vitro and In Vivo

Calcium chelidonate [Ca(ChA)(H2O)3]n was obtained by semi-synthesis using natural chelidonic acid. The structure of the molecular complex was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The asymmetric unit of [Ca(ChA)(H2O)3]n includes chelidonic acid coordinated through three oxygen atoms, and three water ligands. The oxygen atoms of acid and oxygen atoms of water from each asymmetric unit are also coordinated to the calcium of another one, forming an infinite linear complex. Calcium geometry is close to the trigonal dodecahedron (D2d). The intra-complex hydrogen bonds additionally stabilize the linear species, which are parallel to the axis. In turn the linear species are packed into the 3D structure through mutual intercomplex hydrogen bonds. The osteogenic activity of the semi-synthetic CaChA was studied in vitro on 21-day hAMMSC culture and in vivo in mice using ectopic (subcutaneous) implantation of CaP-coated Ti plates saturated in vitro with syngeneic bone marrow. The enhanced extracellular matrix ECM mineralization in vitro and ectopic bone tissue formation in situ occurred while a water solution of calcium chelidonate at a dose of 10 mg/kg was used. The test substance promotes human adipose-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hAMMSCs), as well as mouse MSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Calcium chelidonate is non-toxic and can stimulate osteoinductive processes.