Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Vitamins in Oral Health. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The association between vitamins and oral health have recently been discussed, yielding increased attention from medical and dental perspectives. The present review aimed to systematically evaluate and appraise the most recently scientific papers investigating the role of vitamins in the prevention and treatment of the main oral diseases as hard dental pathological processes and gum/periodontal disease. Randomized controlled trials, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, comparative studies, validation studies and evaluation studies, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, reporting associations between vitamins and oral diseases or the use of vitamins to prevent or treat oral diseases in patients of any age were included. PubMed, Embase and Scopus were searched to November 2019 using an ad hoc prepared search string. All the papers meeting the inclusion criteria were subjected to a quality assessment. The search identified 1597 papers; 741 were selected after removing duplicates. A total of 334 articles were excluded after title and abstract evaluation; 407 were assessed and 73 papers were full-text assessed; other 14 papers were discharged after full text evaluation, leaving finally 58 papers included. In general, there is weak evidence supporting the association between vitamins and both gingival/periodontal disease and hard dental pathological processes.
Hydrophobic Ionic Liquid Gel-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator: Next Generation of Ultrastable, Flexible and Transparent Power Sources for Sustainable Electronics.

Wearable devices have become a research hotspot due to their prospective applications in wireless sensor networks and the Internet of Things. However, these technologies demand a new generation of power sources, which are efficient, flexible, sustainable, and stable. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), as a new type of power supplies, have been widely studied for environmental energy harvesting and self-powered sensing; however, they have vastly limited stretchability, flexibility, and stability. For the first time, we report a single-electrode TENG based on hydrophobic ion liquid gel, which is simultaneously transparent (average transmittance of 89% for visible light), stretchable (400%), and has super-stability - up to three months in various weather conditions (from -25°C to +60°C and humidity up to 80% ). This TENG was used to power a vast range of flexible electronics, including thirty green LEDs, an arch-shaped finger-bending sensor, and a transparent keyboard. This work provides a creative platform to access the next-generation sustainable wearable electronics.
Efficient preservation and breakup of liquid sheets using screen-projected particles

In this paper, we propose a technique that can efficiently express the preservation and breakup of liquid sheets by eliminating over-preserved liquid sheets using the motion of water particles projected onto the screen. First, we project three-dimensional water particles onto a two-dimensional screen. When multiple particles are projected onto the same pixel, we select one of the front most particles as a screened particle by comparing their depth values. Based on the anisotropic kernel and density, the motion of the screened water particles is tracked to determine whether preservation and breakup should be performed. As a result, new water particles are added or existing ones are deleted, which makes it possible to express two characteristics of particle-based fluids: preservation and breakup of liquid sheets. The proposed technique is based on particle-based fluids, which can be used to remove the over-preserved liquid sheets and thus improve the quality of liquid sheets without surface noise.
Influence of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinale) on haemato-biochemical parameters, spleen histology and resistance of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings to Aeromonas hydrophila infection

The effects of dietary ginger on haematological parameters, antioxidant enzymes activites spleen histology and disease resistance of Oreochromis niloticus were investigated. Four test diets containing different levels of ginger (0, 1, 2 and 3%) (W/W) were fed for O. niloticus fingerlings weighted (7.94± 0.26g) for 4 weeks. A positive correlation was observed between the level of ginger and haemato-biochemical parameters measured. The results revealed that blood parameters [(total leukocytic count (TLC), total erythrocytic counts, packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HB) and differential leukocytic count (DLC)] and serum (total proteins, albumin and globulin) were significantly higher (p< 0.05) in ginger fed groups. Antioxidant enzymes including [Glutathione Peroxidase enzyme (GSH-px), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)] showed significant increase (p< 0.05) in ginger treated groups in relation with control. While, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver function enzymes [Glutamic – oxaloacetic transaminase GOT (AST) and Glutamic – pyruvic transaminase GPT (ALT)] were significantly lower than the control groups. Spleen histological structure showed time and concentration dependant increase in melanomacrophaphage centers and hemosiderin pigments that reach the highest aggregations at 3 week post feeding. Challenge infection by A. hydrophila recorded highly significant protection reaching (90.2%) in Influence of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinale) on haemato-biochemical parameters, spleen histology and resistance of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. 26 1% ginger treated groups for 4 weeks. The results suggest that ginger can be recommended as a supplement to O. niloticus feed to enhance resistance against A. hydrophila pathogen.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the MYB Transcription Factor Superfamily in Physcomitrella patens

MYB transcription factors (TFs) are one of the largest TF families in plants to regulate numerous biological processes. However, our knowledge of the MYB family in Physcomitrella patens is limited. We identified 116 MYB genes in the P. patens genome, which were classified into the R2R3-MYB, R1R2R3-MYB, 4R-MYB, and MYB-related subfamilies. Most R2R3 genes contain 3 exons and 2 introns, whereas R1R2R3 MYB genes contain 10 exons and 9 introns. N3R-MYB (novel 3RMYB) and NR-MYBs (novel RMYBs) with complicated gene structures appear to be novel MYB proteins. In addition, we found that the diversity of the MYB domain was mainly contributed by domain shuffling and gene duplication. RNA-seq analysis suggested that MYBs exhibited differential expression to heat and might play important roles in heat stress responses, whereas CCA1-like MYB genes might confer greater flexibility to the circadian clock. Some R2R3-MYB and CCA1-like MYB genes are preferentially expressed in the archegonium and during the transition from the chloronema to caulonema stage, suggesting their roles in development. Compared with that of algae, the numbers of MYBs have significantly increased, thus our study lays the foundation for further exploring the potential roles of MYBs in the transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments.
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MATERIALS USED AND WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL HAND COMPLAINTS AMONG HAEMODIALYSIS NURSES.

BACKGROUND One in every two haemodialysis nurses has reported musculoskeletal complaints concerning their hands, which is twice that reported for hospital nurses in general. It is possible that there is an association between the materials used by haemodialysis nurses and the occurrence of hand complaints. OBJECTIVES To examine the association between the type of dialysis machine and disposables used with the occurrence of hand complaints among haemodialysis nurses. To compare occupational risks of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders based on the materials used for haemodialysis. DESIGN Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred and eighty-two nurses working in 27 haemodialysis centres in Sweden participated in a survey, and 19 nurses at five centres were observed during priming procedures. MEASUREMENTS Nurses supplied demographic data and answered the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Centre level data regarding machines and disposables used for haemodialysis during the past year were also collected. RESULTS There were no differences in the prevalence of hand complaints based on the type of haemodialysis machines, dialysers or tubing used. There were no differences found in physical exposure to the hands during priming, based on machine type used. CONCLUSION The results of this study could not reveal any association between disposable materials used and the occurrence of hand complaints among haemodialysis nurses. Additionally, there were no occupational risks detected based on the types of machines used. Hence, the results of the present study strongly indicate that a deeper ergonomic analysis of the work environment is needed to understand the prevalence of hand complaints among nurses working in haemodialysis settings.
Magnesium Supplementation did not affect the Antiseizure Property of Ketogenic Diet but Reduced Lipid Dysmetabolism.

BACKGROUND Ketogenic diets (KD) have been used globally in epilepsy management. Similarly, supplementation of diets with magnesium has been associated with disease prevention and improvement. However, the effect of magnesium (Mg) supplementation in conjunction with KD on epilepsy has not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that magnesium supplementation in KD would improve the effectiveness of the diet. METHODS Forty-eight male Wistar rats were used for the study. The animals were fed on 4 diet types: I-normal rat chow (ND), II-ND with Mg supplement (ND+Mg), III-medium chain ketogenic diet (KD) and IV-KD with Mg supplement (KD+Mg). Animals in each group were divided into 3: experimental, control and observatory. The experimental drug was intraperitoneal Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) administered at 25 mg/kg. The rats were observed for 2 hours after the drug administration and induced seizures noted. The levels of serum electrolytes and plasma lipid levels were determined using standard methods. RESULTS The seizure latency was significantly prolonged 60.8±0.5mins in group III compared with 8.7±2.1mins in group I (p<0.05). The seizure duration was 42.5±2.5mins in group III and 142.3±4.7 in group I (p<0.05). With Mg supplementation, seizure latency was 62.6±1.5mins in group IV and 7.9±0.7mins in group I (p<0.05). The seizure duration was 45.5±4.5min in group IV and 139.3±3.9mins in group II (p< 0.05). The KD-fed rats showed a tendency to develop dyslipidemia as evidenced by elevated Total Cholesterol /HDL and LDL/HDL (2.32±0.32 and 1.19±0.08) in group III, which was reversed in the KD+Mg fed group IV (1.96±0.32 and 1.08±0.09) with p<0.05. CONCLUSION Mg supplementation of KD did not affect its antiseizure property and does not confer antiseizure effect on ND. Mg supplement showed a tendency to reduce derangement in lipid metabolism associated with KD.
Cardiovascular Events after Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Global Perspective with Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Acute cardiovascular disease after community-acquired pneumonia is a well-accepted complication for which definitive treatment strategies are lacking. These complications share some common features but have distinct diagnostic and treatment approaches. We therefore undertook an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies reporting the incidence of overall complications, acute coronary syndromes, new or worsening heart failure, new or worsening arrhythmias and acute stroke, as well as short-term mortality outcomes. To set a framework for future research, we further included a holistic review of the interplay between the two conditions. From 1984 to 2019, thirty-nine studies were accrued, involving 92,188 patients, divided by setting (inpatients versus outpatients) and clinical severity (low risk versus high risk). Overall cardiac complications occurred in 13.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 9.6–18.9), acute coronary syndromes in 4.5% (95% CI 2.9–6.5), heart failure in 9.2% (95% CI 6.7–12.2), arrhythmias in 7.2% (95% CI 5.6–9.0) and stroke in 0.71% (95% CI 0.1–3.9) of pooled inpatients. During this period, meta-regression analysis suggests that the incidence of overall and individual cardiac complications is decreasing. After adjusting for confounders, cardiovascular events taking place after community-acquired pneumonia independently increase the risk for short-term mortality (range of odds-ratio: 1.39–5.49). These findings highlight the need for effective, large trial based, preventive and therapeutic interventions in this important patient population.
Hypersensitivity reactions with allopurinol and febuxostat: a study using the Medicare claims data

Objective To assess the risk of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) with allopurinol and febuxostat in a population-based study. Methods We used the 5% Medicare beneficiary sample (≥65 years) from 2006 to 2012 to identify people with a newly filled prescription for allopurinol, febuxostat or colchicine. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses to compare the hazard ratio (HR) of incident HSRs with allopurinol or febuxostat use versus colchicine use; separate analyses were done in people exposed to allopurinol. Propensity-matched analyses (5:1) compared hazards with allopurinol versus febuxostat. Results Crude incidence rates of HSRs were as follows: allopurinol, 23.7; febuxostat, 30.7; and colchicine, 25.6 per 1000 person-years. Compared with colchicine, allopurinol, febuxostat and febuxostat+colchicine were associated with significantly higher HRs of HSRs, 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.60) and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.12) and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.18 to 3.99), respectively. In propensity-matched analyses, febuxostat did not significantly differ from allopurinol; HR for HSRs was 1.25 (95% CI: 0.93 to 1.67). Compared with allopurinol start dose <200 mg/day, allopurinol start dose ≥300 mg/day, diabetes and female sex were associated with significantly higher hazard of HSRs, 1.27 (95% CI: 1.12 to 1.44), 1.21 (95% CI: 1.00 to 1.45) and 1.32 (95% CI: 1.17 to 1.48), respectively. The majority (69%) of HSRs occurred in the outpatient setting. Conclusions Compared with colchicine, allopurinol and febuxostat similarly increased the risk of HSRs. Allopurinol and febuxostat did not differ from each other. In allopurinol users, starting dose, female sex and diabetes increased this risk, findings that need further study.
Integrating CRISPR Engineering and hiPSC-Derived 2D Disease Modeling Systems

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have revolutionized research on human diseases, particularly neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, making it possible to study mechanisms of disease risk and initiation in otherwise inaccessible patient-specific cells. Today, the integration of CRISPR engineering approaches with hiPSC-based models permits precise isogenic comparisons of human neurons and glia. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have revolutionized research on human diseases, particularly neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, making it possible to study mechanisms of disease risk and initiation in otherwise inaccessible patient-specific cells. Today, the integration of CRISPR engineering approaches with hiPSC-based models permits precise isogenic comparisons of human neurons and glia. This review is intended as a guideline for neuroscientists and clinicians interested in translating their research to hiPSC-based studies. It offers state-of-the-art approaches to tackling the challenges that are unique to human in vitro disease models, particularly interdonor and intradonor variability, and limitations in neuronal maturity and circuit complexity. Finally, we provide a detailed overview of the immense possibilities the field has to offer, highlighting efficient neural differentiation and induction strategies for the major brain cell types and providing perspective into integrating CRISPR-based methods into study design. The combination of hiPSC-based disease modeling, CRISPR technology, and high-throughput approaches promises to advance our scientific knowledge and accelerate progress in drug discovery. Dual Perspectives Companion Paper: Studying Human Neurodevelopment and Diseases Using 3D Brain Organoids, by Ai Tian, Julien Muffat, and Yun Li
Photo-controlled reversible binding between the protein A-derived Z domain and immunoglobulin G.

Photoisomerization of the trans and cis isomers of azobenzene derivatives has been used to control the function of biomolecules in a reversible and non-destructive manner. In this study affibody molecules, representing a class of small, helical proteins that can be engineered for binding to a wide range of target proteins, have been investigated by the incorporation of a photoswitchable azobenzene derivative in the molecule. Three different Z domain variants were produced by solid phase peptide synthesis and conjugated by thiol-directed chemistry to an azobenzene-based photoswitch. The proteins were screened for binding to and light elution from an IgG-sepharose affinity column. One of tested Z variants, ZC3, showed efficient binding to the column and could be eluted by irradiation with light at 400 nm. In a reverse affinity chromatography assay, where the ZC3 variant was coupled to sepharose, human IgG1 could be captured to the column and partially eluted by light. Further studies of the azobenzene-conjugated ZC3 domain by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) confirmed the high affinity binding to IgG, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy showed that the protein has a high alpha-helical secondary structure content.
SUBERMAN Regulates Developmental Suberization of the Arabidopsis Root Endodermis.

Root endodermis, the innermost cortical layer surrounding the root vasculature, serves as the foremost barrier to water, solutes, and nutrients taken up from soil. Endodermis barrier functionality is achieved via its hydrophobic coating of lignified Casparian strips and the suberin lamellae; nonetheless the regulatory mechanisms underlying endodermis suberization are still elusive. Here, we discovered that the Arabidopsis SUBERMAN (SUB) transcription factor controls establishment of the root suberin lamellae. Transient expression of SUB in Nicotiana benthamiana (N. benthamiana) leaves resulted in the induction of heterologous suberin genes, the accumulation of suberin-type monomers, and consequent deposition of suberin-like lamellae. We demonstrate that SUB exerts its regulatory roles by transactivating promoters of suberin genes. In Arabidopsis, SUB is expressed in patchy and continuous suberization root endodermal cells, and thus roots with higher or lower expression of SUB display altered suberin polymer deposition patterns and modified composition. While these changes did not interfere with Casparian strip formation they had a substantial effect on root uptake capacity resulting in varied root and leaf ionomic phenotypes. Gene expression profiling revealed that SUB function impacts transcriptional networks associated with suberin, phenylpropanoids, lignin and cuticular lipid biosynthesis, as well as root transport activities, hormone signaling and cell wall modification. Our findings highlight SUB as a regulator of root endodermis suberization during normal development, and its characterization is thus a key step towards dissecting the molecular mechanisms partaking in root endodermal barrier functionalities.
Cancer-Related Stroke: An Emerging Subtype of Ischemic Stroke with Unique Pathomechanisms

Systemic cancer and ischemic stroke are common conditions and two of the most frequent causes of death among the elderly. The association between cancer and stroke has been reported worldwide. Stroke causes severe disability for cancer patients, while cancer increases the risk of stroke. Moreover, cancer-related stroke is expected to increase due to advances in cancer treatment and an aging population worldwide. Because cancer and stroke share risk factors (such as smoking and obesity) and treatment of cancer can increase the risk of stroke (e.g., accelerated atherosclerosis after radiation therapy), cancer may accelerate conventional stroke mechanisms (i.e., atherosclerosis, small vessel disease, and cardiac thrombus). In addition, active cancer and chemotherapy may enhance thrombin generation causing stroke related to coagulopathy. Patients with stroke due to cancer-related coagulopathy showed the characteristics findings of etiologic work ups, D-dimer levels, and infarct patterns. In this review, we summarized the frequency of cancer-related stroke among patients with ischemic stroke, mechanisms of stroke with in cancer patients, and evaluation and treatment of cancer-related stroke. We discussed the possibility of cancer-related stroke as a stroke subtype, and presented the most recent discoveries in the pathomechanisms and treatment of stroke due to cancer-related coagulopathy.
Effects of a Sport-Specific Upper-Body Resistance-Band Training Program on Overhead Throwing Velocity and Glenohumeral Joint Range of Motion

Abstract Oranchuk, DJ, Ecsedy, EN, and Robinson, TL. Effects of a sport-specific upper-body resistance-band training program on overhead throwing velocity and glenohumeral joint range of motion. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3097–3103, 2021—Practitioners seek optimal, yet practical means to enhance performance while aiming to minimize injury risk. Resistance bands offer portability and safety and enable similar movements to competition. However, the effect of movement-specific resistance-band training on throwing performance and markers of injury risk has yet to be elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a resistance training program using resistance bands with sport-specific (SS), or general-training (GT) exercises. Twenty-eight collegiate female softball players were randomly allocated to an SS (n = 15) or GT (n = 13) 8-week resistance-band program. Dependent variables included peak and mean throwing velocity, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) cable Chop-test, and glenohumeral internal and external rotation range of motion (ROM). No significant (p ≤ 0.338) differences were found between groups at baseline. Improvements in peak (p = 0.006, 4.9%, effect size [ES] = 0.61) and mean (p = 0.004, 3.1%, ES = 0.49) throwing velocity were seen after SS training, while the 1RM Chop-test increased in both SS (p < 0.001, 23.5%, ES = 1.06) and GT (p = 0.049, 26.1%, ES = 0.57) groups. However, no between-group differences (p ≥ 0.109, ES ≤ 0.17) were present in any variable. Neither the Chop-test nor shoulder internal or external ROM had more than moderate correlations with throwing velocity (r ≤ 0.30, p ≥ 0.119). Therefore, practitioners should not depend solely on SS resistance-band training when aiming to improve throwing velocity or measures of shoulder rotational health. However, resistance bands appear to be a practical alternative when traditional means of resistance training are not available. In addition, strength and conditioning coaches should not use the Chop-test or shoulder ROM to predict throwing performance.