Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bifidobacterium species viability in dairy-based probiotic foods: challenges and innovative approaches for accurate viability determination and monitoring of probiotic functionality

Bifidobacterium species are essential members of a healthy human gut microbiota. Their presence in the gut is associated with numerous health outcomes such as protection against gastrointestinal tract infections, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. Regular intake of Bifidobacterium in foods is a sustainable way of maintaining the health benefits associated with its use as a probiotic. Owing to their global acceptance, fermented dairy products (particularly yogurt) are considered the ideal probiotic carrier foods. As envisioned in the definition of probiotics as “live organisms,” the therapeutic functionalities of Bifidobacterium spp. depend on maintaining their viability in the foods up to the point of consumption. However, sustaining Bifidobacterium spp. viability during the manufacture and shelf-life of fermented dairy products remains challenging. Hence, this paper discusses the significance of viability as a prerequisite for Bifidobacterium spp. probiotic functionality. The paper focuses on the stress factors that influence Bifidobacterium spp. viability during the manufacture and shelf life of yogurt as an archetypical fermented dairy product that is widely accepted as a delivery vehicle for probiotics. It further expounds the Bifidobacterium spp. physiological and genetic stress response mechanisms as well as the methods for viability retention in yogurt, such as microencapsulation, use of oxygen scavenging lactic acid bacterial strains, and stress-protective agents. The report also explores the topic of viability determination as a critical factor in probiotic quality assurance, wherein, the limitations of culture-based enumeration methods, the challenges of species and strain resolution in the presence of lactic acid bacterial starter and probiotic species are discussed. Finally, new developments and potential applications of next-generation viability determination methods such as flow cytometry, propidium monoazide–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PMA-qPCR), next-generation sequencing, and single-cell Raman spectroscopy (SCRS) methods are examined.
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci for Resistance to Tan Spot in Durum Wheat

Genome wide association study (GWAS) has become an important approach in the last decade to dissecting genetic basis of any given trait, particularly for a quantitative trait. Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a major foliar disease on all cultivated wheat crops. Resistance to tan spot is a complex, which include insensitivity to necrotrophic effectors, unknown recessive resistance, and race-specific or –nonspecific resistance QTL. Several studies have used GWAS to identify QTL associated with tan spot resistance in hexaploid wheat, but not in durum. The objectives of this study were to identify sources of resistance to multiple races and to locate QTL for tan spot resistance in a core durum collection using GWAS. Disease evaluations showed that nineteen lines were highly resistant to all races tested. A total of 37,285 SNP markers from genotype-by-sequencing were employed in GWAS. As expected, sensitivity to Ptr ToxA and Ptr ToxB was mapped to the chromosome arms 5BL and 2BS, respectively. A major QTL was identified to 2BS for the race 5 isolate DW5, the same location as that for sensitivity to Ptr ToxB. However, there was no QTL for races 1 and 2 detected on the same location as that for sensitivity to Ptr ToxA. Two QTLs, one on 1AS and the other on 1BS, were identified for race 1, one of which likely corresponded to the Tsc1 locus. A genomic region on 3BL was identified for three races, which is likely the race-nonspecific resistance QTL identified previously. Our work suggests the interactions of Ptr ToxC-Tsc1 and Ptr ToxB-Tsc2 and racenonspecific resistance are important for tan spot system in durum.
fNIRS a novel neuroimaging tool to investigate olfaction, olfactory imagery, and crossmodal interactions: a systematic review

Olfaction is understudied in neuroimaging research compared to other senses, but there is growing evidence of its therapeutic benefits on mood and well-being. Olfactory imagery can provide similar health benefits as olfactory interventions. Harnessing crossmodal visual-olfactory interactions can facilitate olfactory imagery. Understanding and employing these cross-modal interactions between visual and olfactory stimuli could aid in the research and applications of olfaction and olfactory imagery interventions for health and wellbeing. This review examines current knowledge, debates, and research on olfaction, olfactive imagery, and crossmodal visual-olfactory integration. A total of 56 papers, identified using the PRISMA method, were evaluated to identify key brain regions, research themes and methods used to determine the suitability of fNIRS as a tool for studying these topics. The review identified fNIRS-compatible protocols and brain regions within the fNIRS recording depth of approximately 1.5 cm associated with olfactory imagery and crossmodal visual-olfactory integration. Commonly cited regions include the orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The findings of this review indicate that fNIRS would be a suitable tool for research into these processes. Additionally, fNIRS suitability for use in naturalistic settings may lead to the development of new research approaches with greater ecological validity compared to existing neuroimaging techniques.
CoQ10 and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease

The progress in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is based on the recognition of the primary causes of the disease, which can be deduced from the knowledge of risk factors and biomarkers measurable in the early stages of the disease. Insights into the risk factors and the time course of biomarker abnormalities point to a role for the connection of amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology, tau pathology, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the onset and development of AD. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid antioxidant and electron transporter in the mitochondrial electron transport system. The availability and activity of CoQ10 is crucial for proper mitochondrial function and cellular bioenergetics. Based on the mitochondrial hypothesis of AD and the hypothesis of oxidative stress, the regulation of the efficiency of the oxidative phosphorylation system by means of CoQ10 can be considered promising in restoring the mitochondrial function impaired in AD, or in preventing the onset of mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of amyloid and tau pathology in AD. This review summarizes the knowledge on the pathophysiology of AD, in which CoQ10 may play a significant role, with the aim of evaluating the perspective of the pharmacotherapy of AD with CoQ10 and its analogues.
The Benefits of using New Tools for Behavioral Investigations in Animal Experimental Models

Abstract The animal experimental models of emotional disorders attempt to reproduce features of human psychiatric disorders in laboratory animals by correlating the physiological and behavioral changes associated with specific emotional states, the etiology of disorders, and responses on drug treatments. Animal experimental models that accurately recapitulate clinical pathology are indispensable for understanding molecular mechanisms and advancing preclinical studies. Behavioral tests on animal models have been developed over time in two directions: to enable the acquisition of as many valid behavior data as possible, and constructing experimental models and procedures that represent a parallel with certain conditions in humans. In this review we discuss more information for the new tools in behavioral investigations in animal experimental models. Here we described evoked beam-walking (EBW) test as a new test for estimation of anxiety levels. The reliability of that test was confirmed in our studies by using nandrolone decanoate (ND) and testosterone enanthate (TE) in supraphysiological doses. Also, we defined a new approach to estimation of exploratory activity by using these tests and an improvement of detectability in standard evaluation of depressive state levels. Taking into account that behavioral investigation in animal models still has to remain indispensable in conducting of preclinical studies, we assume that new tools that can be applied in this field may improve the quality of research.
Integrating Bayesian Optimization and Machine Learning for the Optimal Configuration of Cloud Systems

Bayesian Optimization (BO) is an efficient method for finding optimal cloud configurations for several types of applications. On the other hand, Machine Learning (ML) can provide helpful knowledge about the application at hand thanks to its predicting capabilities. This work proposes a general approach based on BO, which integrates elements from ML techniques in multiple ways, to find an optimal configuration of recurring jobs running in public and private cloud environments, possibly subject to black-box constraints, e.g., application execution time or accuracy. We test our approach by considering several use cases, including edge computing, scientific computing, and Big Data applications. Results show that our solution outperforms other state-of-the-art black-box techniques, including classical autotuning and BO- and ML-based algorithms, reducing the number of unfeasible executions and corresponding costs up to 2–4 times.
Incremental dialysis: two complementary views

ABSTRACT Franco Casino and Mariana Murea discuss today's knowledge about the ‘incremental dialysis’ concept. Franco Casino frames the problem by saying that, in the presence of substantial residual kidney function, kidney replacement therapy can begin with low doses and/or frequencies, to be gradually increased to compensate for any subsequent losses of residual kidney function, keeping the total clearance above the minimum levels of adequacy. He remarks that studies so far have documented that this approach is safe. He recognizes that adequate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are necessary to confirm the safety and simplify and standardize the practical aspects of this approach. Mariana Murea objects that most of the evidence gathered so far primarily derives from retrospective and observational studies, which can be influenced by socioeconomic constraints. She argues for the need for RCTs to provide compelling empirical evidence on the efficacy of incremental dialysis. Nephrologists are still reluctant to adopt this approach for various reasons, including unfamiliarity with the method, lack of practical guidance and financial disincentives. Several countries have ongoing or planned RCTs comparing incremental dialysis with conventional dialysis. These trials can shift the haemodialysis paradigm if they validate the safety and effectiveness of this approach. The moderators believe that the results of ongoing trials must be carefully interpreted, and further validation may be needed across different patient populations or healthcare settings. The ultimate goal is to gather robust evidence that could lead to widespread adoption of incremental haemodialysis, optimizing treatment, reducing overtreatment, preserving resources and improving patients’ quality of life.
13α–Hydroxylucilactaene and Other Metabolites of an Endophytic Strain of Fusarium acuminatum

A liquid fermentation culture of Fusarium acuminatum, endophytic in the root of Larrea tritentata, afforded a new furanopyrrolidone, 13α–hydroxylucilactaene (1), together with four known metabolites, NG–391 (2), NG–393 (3), enniatin A (4), and enniatin B (5). The structure and relative stereochemistry of 1 was established by extensive NMR spectral analysis and the known compounds 2 – 5 were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The cytotoxicity of all compounds was evaluated in a panel of five human cancer cell lines [NCI–H460 (non-small cell lung), MCF–7 (breast), SF–268 (CNS glioma), MIA Pa Ca–2 (pancreatic carcinoma), PC-3M (metastatic prostate cancer)] and normal human fibroblast (WI–38) cells, and only enniatins A (4) and B (5) were shown to have significant cytotoxic activity.
Bright Light Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder in Adolescent Outpatients: A Preliminary Study

Background: Bright light therapy (BLT) has not been well-studied in adolescents with major depressive disorder, particularly in outpatient settings. Methods: We conducted an 8-week clinical trial of BLT in adolescents recruited from a primary care practice with moderate to severe major depression. Acceptability and feasibility were defined by daily use of the light box and integration into daily routines. To assess treatment effects, we utilized the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) and actigraphic sleep variables. Results: Of the nine enrolled adolescents, the rate of daily use of the light therapy box was 100% at week 2, 78% at week 4 (n = 7), and 67% at weeks 6 and 8 (n = 6). Participants were better able to integrate midday BLT compared to morning BLT into their day-to-day routines. Mean depression scores improved during the 2-week placebo lead-in (dim red light—DRL) and continued to show significant improvement through 6 weeks of BLT. Sleep efficiency increased significantly (p = 0.046), and sleep onset latency showed a trend toward a significant decrease (p = 0.075) in the BLT phase compared to the DRL phase. Conclusion: Bright light treatment that was self-administered at home was feasible, acceptable, and effective for adolescent outpatients with depression. Findings support the development of larger, well-powered, controlled clinical trials of BLT in coordination with primary care.
miRNAs Related to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Response: A Systematic Review

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has represented a breakthrough in the treatment of many cancers, although a high number of patients fail to respond to ICIs, which is partially due to the ability of tumor cells to evade immune system surveillance. Non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to modulate the immune evasion of tumor cells, and there is thus growing interest in elucidating whether these miRNAs could be targetable or proposed as novel biomarkers for prognosis and treatment response to ICIs. We therefore performed an extensive literature analysis to evaluate the clinical utility of miRNAs with a confirmed direct relationship with treatment response to ICIs. As a result of this systematic review, we have stratified the miRNA landscape into (i) miRNAs whose levels directly modulate response to ICIs, (ii) miRNAs whose expression is modulated by ICIs, and (iii) miRNAs that directly elicit toxic effects or participate in immune-related adverse events (irAEs) caused by ICIs.
Tewa Place Names for Early Habitation Sites in the Northern Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico

ABSTRACT Place names have the potential to aid in the investigation of regional settlement histories because they reflect the importance of specific locations in the social or cultural memories of indigenous groups. Unique place names for ancient habitation sites such as villages or hamlets, i.e., those names for which there are no cognates in other languages, suggest that those ancient villages or hamlets still retain the names given to them by their original inhabitants. Here, we present Tewa place names for habitation sites identified archaeologically in the northern Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico. The results of our study strongly suggest that the Tewa language was spoken in the northern Rio Grande Valley, specifically, within the southern Tewa Basin, as early as the Late Developmental period (a.d. 900–1200), thus challenging the currently well-accepted model postulating a Mesa Verde origin for the Tewa language and culture.
A robust surface-consistent residual phase correction method based on migrated gathers

Conventional residual static corrections determine the residual statics (time shifts) using common mid-point (CMP) gathers to estimate and correct anomalies induced by the near-surface. These time shifts disregard the phase errors existing in the data, which will reduce the resolution of the stacked image. Further errors result when reflection events in CMP gathers do not exhibit hyperbolic moveout. In order to solve these problems, we propose a robust surface-consistent residual phase correction method that simultaneously resolves both time shifts and constant phase rotations based on migrated gathers. The surface-consistent residual statics and phase are obtained from the migrated gathers expressed in terms of shot and receiver locations. We modified the standard technique of estimating the time shift corrections to include a surface-consistent constant phase rotation term. The proposed dual parameter algorithm (time shift and constant phase rotation) proved on a synthetic example that it was superior to conventional residual statics for improving the coherence of trace gathers. The computational effort can be reduced by generating migrated gathers and estimating the dual parameters in a spatially varying time window. We applied the proposed method to both synthetic and real data, and improved results were obtained with both. We present a novel approach for surface-consistent residual phase corrections based on migrated gathers to improve the SNR and resolution of migrated images. This method includes the following new aspects: the residual statics and phase are estimated by dual parameter cross-correlation, and determined after migration.
Extracellular Vesicles and Hydrogels: An Innovative Approach to Tissue Regeneration

Extracellular vesicles have emerged as promising tools in regenerative medicine due to their inherent ability to facilitate intercellular communication and modulate cellular functions. These nanosized vesicles transport bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which can affect the behavior of recipient cells and promote tissue regeneration. However, the therapeutic application of these vesicles is frequently constrained by their rapid clearance from the body and inability to maintain a sustained presence at the injury site. In order to overcome these obstacles, hydrogels have been used as extracellular vesicle delivery vehicles, providing a localized and controlled release system that improves their therapeutic efficacy. This Review will examine the role of extracellular vesicle-loaded hydrogels in tissue regeneration, discussing potential applications, current challenges, and future directions. We will investigate the origins, composition, and characterization techniques of extracellular vesicles, focusing on recent advances in exosome profiling and the role of machine learning in this field. In addition, we will investigate the properties of hydrogels that make them ideal extracellular vesicle carriers. Recent studies utilizing this combination for tissue regeneration will be highlighted, providing a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape and potential future directions.
Comparative Effects of Two High-Intensity Intermittent Training Programs on Sub-Elite Male Basketball Referees’ Fitness Levels

This study aimed to compare the effects of an 8-week short-term training program, comprising repeated sprints or running-based high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT), on the aerobic fitness and repeated sprint ability (RSA) performance of sub-elite basketball referees. Twenty male referees participated in supervised training sessions twice a week. They were randomly assigned to either the RSA-based group (RSAG) or the running-based HIIT group (HIITG). The RSAG conducted 3–4 sets of 8 × 20-m all-out sprints, while the HIITG performed 2–3 sets of 6 × 20-s runs at 90% of their maximal velocity achieved in the 30–15 intermittent fitness test (30–15IFT). Referees underwent a graded exercise test on a treadmill, the 30–15IFT, and an RSA test before and after the training program. Both groups showed significant improvement (~3%) in the fastest (22.6 ± 1.4 vs. 23.4 ± 1.7 and 22.0 ±1.9 vs. 22.4 ± 1.7 km·h−1 in RSAG and HIITG, respectively) and mean (21.5 ± 1.2 vs. 22.4 ± 1.4 and 21.3 ± 1.8 vs. 21.7 ± 1.6 km·h−1 in RSAG and HIITG, respectively) sprint velocity of the RSA test (p < 0.05). Moreover, positive changes (p < 0.05) were observed in the 30–15IFT maximal velocity (18.6 ± 1.1 vs. 19.3 ± 1.0 and 19.4 ± 0.9 vs. 20.5 ± 0.9 km·h−1 in RSAG and HIITG, respectively). In conclusion, an 8-week training intervention using either RSA or running-based HIIT led to similar improvements in referees’ RSA performance and specific aerobic fitness measures. These findings could assist in devising tailored training programs for basketball referees.
A Study on Selection Method of Management Watershed for Total Pollution Load Control at Tributary

The purpose of Total Pollution Load Control at Tributary is to obtain maximum improvement effect of water quality through finding the most impaired section of water-body and establishing the proper control measure of pollutant load. This study was implemented to determine the optimal management of reach, period, condition, watershed, and pollution source and propose appropriate reduction practices using the Load duration curve (LDC) and field monitoring data. With the data of measurement, LDC analysis shows that the most impaired condition is reach V (G4~G5), E group (flow exceedance percentile 90~100%) and winter season. For this reason, winter season and low flow condition should be preferentially considered to restore water quality. The result of pollution analysis for the priority reach and period shows that agricultural nonpoint source loads from onion and garlic culture are most polluting. Therefore, it is concluded that agricultural reuse of surface effluent (storm-water runoff with non-point sources) and low impact farming that includes reducing fertilization and controlling the height of drainage outlet are efficient water quality management for this study watershed.
Magma‐magma interaction in the mantle beneath eastern China

In addition to magma‐rock and rock‐rock reaction, magma‐magma interaction at mantle depth has recently been proposed as an alternative mechanism to produce the compositional diversity of intraplate basalts. However, up to now no compelling geochemical evidence supports this novel hypothesis. Here we present geochemistry for the Longhai basalts from Fujian Province, southeastern China, which demonstrates the interaction between two types of magma at mantle depth. At Longhai, the basalts form two groups, low‐Ti basalts (TiO2/MgO < 0.25) and high‐Ti basalts (TiO2/MgO > 0.25). Calculated primary compositions of the low‐Ti basalts have compositions close to L + Opx + Cpx + Grt cotectic, and they also have low CaO contents (7.1–8.1 wt %), suggesting a mainly pyroxenite source. Correlations of Ti/Gd and Zr/Hf with the Sm/Yb ratios, however, record binary mixing between the pyroxenite‐derived melt and a second, subordinate source‐derived melt. Melts from this second source component have low Ti/Gd and high Zr/Hf and Ca/Al ratios, thus likely representing a carbonated component. The Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotopic compositions of the high‐Ti basalts are close to the low‐Ti basalts. The Sm/Yb ratio of the high‐Ti basalts, however, is markedly elevated and characterized by crossing rare earth element patterns at Ho, suggesting that they have source components comparable to the low‐Ti basalts, but that they have experienced garnet and clinopyroxene fractionation. We posit that mingling of SiO2‐saturated tholeiitic magma with SiO2‐undersaturated alkaline magma might trigger such fractionation. Therefore, the model of magma‐magma interaction and associated deep evolution of magma in the mantle is proposed to explain the formation of Longhai basalts. It may, moreover, serve as a conceptual model for the formation of tholeiitic to alkaline intraplate basalts worldwide.