Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Antioxidants, Whitening and Antiaging Properties of Rice Protein Hydrolysates

Plant-derived protein hydrolysates have potential applications in nutrition. Rice protein hydrolysates (RPHs), an excellent source of proteins, have attracted attention for the development of cosmeceuticals. However, few studies have reported the potential application of RPH in analysis, and this study examined their antioxidant activities and the inhibitory activities of skin aging enzymes. The results indicated that the total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations were 2.06 ± 0.13 mg gallic acid equivalent/g RPHs and 25.96 ± 0.52 µg quercetin equivalent/g RPHs, respectively. RPHs demonstrated dose-dependent activity for scavenging free radicals from 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 42.58 ± 2.1 mg/g RPHs] and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (IC50 = 2.11 ± 0.88 mg/g RPHs), dose-dependent reduction capacity (6.95 ± 1.40 mg vitamin C equivalent/g RPHs) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (473 µmol Trolox equivalent/g RPHs). The concentrations of the RPH solution required to achieve 50% inhibition of hyaluronidase and tyrosinase activities were determined to be 8.91 and 107.6 mg/mL, respectively. This study demonstrated that RPHs have antioxidant, antihyaluronidase, and antityrosinase activities for future cosmetic applications.
Flavivirus NS1 and Its Potential in Vaccine Development

The Flavivirus genus contains many important human pathogens, including dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), West Nile (WN), yellow fever (YF) and Zika (ZIK) viruses. While there are effective vaccines for a few flavivirus diseases (JE, TBE and YF), the majority do not have vaccines, including WN and ZIK. The flavivirus nonstructural 1 (NS1) protein has an unusual structure–function because it is glycosylated and forms different structures to facilitate different roles intracellularly and extracellularly, including roles in the replication complex, assisting in virus assembly, and complement antagonism. It also plays a role in protective immunity through antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity, and anti-NS1 antibodies elicit passive protection in animal models against a virus challenge. Historically, NS1 has been used as a diagnostic marker for the flavivirus infection due to its complement fixing properties and specificity. Its role in disease pathogenesis, and the strong humoral immune response resulting from infection, makes NS1 an excellent target for inclusion in candidate flavivirus vaccines.
Immunological Cross-Reactivity of Proteins Extracted from the Oomycete Pythium insidiosum and the Fungus Basidiobolus ranarum Compromises the Detection Specificity of Immunodiagnostic Assays for Pythiosis

Pythiosis, a life-threatening disease caused by Pythium insidiosum, has been increasingly diagnosed worldwide. A recently developed immunochromatographic test (ICT) enables the rapid diagnosis of pythiosis. During the 3-year clinical implementation of ICT in Thailand, we collected the laboratory reports of 38 animals with suspected pythiosis and detected ICT false-positive results in three horses and a dog with basidiobolomycosis. P. insidiosum and Basidiobolus ranarum cause infections with indistinguishable clinical and microscopic features. This study investigated cross-reactive antibodies by probing P. insidiosum and B. ranarum crude extracts and cell-free synthesized I06 protein (encoded in P. insidiosum genome, not other fungi) against a panel of pythiosis, basidiobolomycosis, rabbit anti-I06 peptide, and control sera by Western blot analyses. ICT false-positive results occurred from the cross-reactivity of anti-B. ranarum antibodies to the 15, 50, 60, and 120 kDa proteins of P. insidiosum, not double infections caused by both pathogens. Notably, ICT could help to screen pythiosis, and the positive test requires confirmation by culture or molecular method. The detection specificity of ICT requires improvement. The crude extract containing multispecies antigens needs replacement with a refined P. insidiosum-specific protein. We proposed that the 55 kDa I06 protein is an excellent candidate for developing a more specific serodiagnostic test for pythiosis.
Exosome-Derived MicroRNAs of Human Milk and Their Effects on Infant Health and Development

Multiple biologically active components of human milk support infant growth, health and development. Milk provides a wide spectrum of mammary epithelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MEVs) for the infant. Although the whole spectrum of MEVs appears to be of functional importance for the growing infant, the majority of recent studies report on the MEV subfraction of milk exosomes (MEX) and their miRNA cargo, which are in the focus of this review. MEX and the dominant miRNA-148a play a key role in intestinal maturation, barrier function and suppression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling and may thus be helpful for the prevention and treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis. MEX and their miRNAs reach the systemic circulation and may impact epigenetic programming of various organs including the liver, thymus, brain, pancreatic islets, beige, brown and white adipose tissue as well as bones. Translational evidence indicates that MEX and their miRNAs control the expression of global cellular regulators such as DNA methyltransferase 1—which is important for the up-regulation of developmental genes including insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, α-synuclein and forkhead box P3—and receptor-interacting protein 140, which is important for the regulation of multiple nuclear receptors. MEX-derived miRNA-148a and miRNA-30b may stimulate the expression of uncoupling protein 1, the key inducer of thermogenesis converting white into beige/brown adipose tissue. MEX have to be considered as signalosomes derived from the maternal lactation genome emitted to promote growth, maturation, immunological and metabolic programming of the offspring. Deeper insights into milk’s molecular biology allow the conclusion that infants are both “breast-fed” and “breast-programmed”. In this regard, MEX miRNA-deficient artificial formula is not an adequate substitute for breastfeeding, the birthright of all mammals.
I – Comportement non liquide de Fermi dans un modèle Kondo généralisé II – Antiferromagnétisme et singulet de spin dans l'apparition de la supraconductivité à haute Tc

La premiere partie de la these est consacree a l'etude des points fixes associes a un modele Kondo generalise. Ce travail a ete motive par la recente mise en evidence d'un comportement non liquide de Fermi dans certains composes de fermions lourds. Nous considerons un modele Kondo a une impurete dont le spin est decrit par une representation mixte du groupe SU(N), combinant des degres de liberte bosoniques et fermioniques. La stabilite du point fixe de couplage fort est discutee dans le cadre d'une theorie de perturbation au deuxieme ordre autour de ce point fixe. Contrairement aux modeles Kondo etudies jusqu'ici, nous trouvons une instabilite du point fixe de couplage fort pour certaines classes de representations du spin de l'impurete en presence d'un seul canal d'electrons de conduction. Cette instabilite indique que la physique du systeme est decrite par un point fixe de couplage intermediaire, caracterise de facon generale par un comportement de type non liquide de Fermi. Nous developpons une aproche basee sur le groupe de renormalisation perturbatif afin d'identifier ce point fixe de couplage intermediaire. Nous derivons la fonction d'echelle $\beta$ caracterisant le flot de renormalisation et en deduisons les proprietes de basses energies du systeme. Dans une seconde partie, nous etudions la supraconductivite a haute temperature critique des cuprates dopes en trous sur la base d'une interpretation de type magnetique. L'origine de l'instabilite supraconductrice est attribuee a la coexistence de deux mecanismes. Le premier mecanisme considere correspond a la formation d'une onde de densite de spin, resultant de l'echange de fluctuations de spin dans un etat presqu'antiferromagnetique, tel que propose dans le cadre de la theorie de ''spin-bag''. Le second repose sur l'existence d'un etat resonant de liaison de valence (RVB), supposant la formation d'un singulet de spin dans les plans de Cuivre-Oxygene. Les deux approches predisent l'apparition d'une phase supraconductrice hors du demi-remplissage. Nous avons developpe une theorie de champ moyen, permettant de prendre en compte la coexistence de ces deux mecanismes. A l'aide d'un formalisme d'integration fonctionnelle, nous derivons le potentiel effectif d'appariement entre quasiparticules de type BCS, medie par les fluctuations gaussiennes (au niveau RPA) des differents champs consideres. Nous discutons egalement la symetrie du gap supraconducteur.
Three β-Glucuronosyltransferase Genes Involved in Arabinogalactan Biosynthesis Function in Arabidopsis Growth and Development

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) contain arabinogalactan (AG) polysaccharides that are biologically relevant to plant growth processes. Here, the biochemical and physiological roles of three Golgi localized β-glucuronosyltransferase genes (GLCAT14A, GLCAT14B and GLCAT14C) in Arabidopsis thaliana, responsible for the addition of glucuronic acid to AG chains, were further investigated using single, double and triple glcat14 mutant plants. These proteins were localized to the Golgi apparatus when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Sugar analysis of AGP extracts from Arabidopsis stem, leaf and siliques showed a consistent reduction in glucuronic acid in glcat14 mutants relative to wild type, with concomitant effects resulting in tissue-specific alterations, especially in arabinose and galactose sugars. Although we observed defects in trichome branching in glca14a/b and glca14a/b/c mutants, scanning electron microscope analysis/energy dispersive microanalysis (SEM/EDX) showed no difference in the calcium content of trichomes in these mutants relative to wild type. Immunoblot analyses of the stem and leaf showed a reduction in AGPs as detected with the LM2 antibody in glcat14a/b and glcat14a/b/c mutants relative to wild type. The current work exemplifies the possibility of conducting structure-function assessment of cell wall biosynthetic genes to identify their physiological roles in plant growth and development.
Quality Assessment of Wild and Cultivated Green Tea from Different Regions of China

Natural products have always enjoyed great popularity among consumers. Wild tea is an interesting alternative to tea from intensive plantations. The term “wild tea” is applied to many different varieties of tea, the most desirable and valued of which are native or indigenous tea plants. Special pro-health properties of wild tea are attributed to the natural conditions in which it grows. However, there are no complex studies that describe quality and health indicators of wild tea. The aim of this research was to evaluate the quality of wild and cultivated green tea from different regions of China: Wuzhishan, Baisha, Kunlushan, and Pu’Er. The assessment was carried out by verifying the concentration of selected chemical components in tea and relating it to the health risks they may pose, as well as to the nutritional requirements of adults. Wild tea was characterized by higher micronutrient concentration. The analyzed teas can constitute a valuable source of Mn in the diet. A higher concentration of nitrates and oxalates in cultivated tea can be associated with fertilizer use. The analyzed cultivated tea was a better source of antioxidants with a higher concentration of caffeine. There were no indications of health risks for wild or cultivated teas.
Effects of Gamma Radiation-Induced Crosslinking of Collagen Type I Coated Dental Titanium Implants on Osseointegration and Bone Regeneration

This study aimed to compare two methods of crosslinking collagen type I on implanted titanium surfaces, that is, using glutaraldehyde (GA) or gamma-rays (GRs), in a beagle dog model. For in vivo experiments, implants were allocated to three groups and applied to mandibular bone defects in beagle dogs; Group SLA; non-treated Sandblasted, large grit, acid-etched (SLA) implants, Group GA; SLA implants coated with GA crosslinked collagen type I, Group GR; SLA surface implants coated with collagen type I and crosslinked using 25 kGy of 60Co gamma radiation. New bone μCT volumes were obtained, and histologic and histometric analyses were performed in regions of interest. The GR group had significantly better new bone areas (NBAs) and bone to implant contact (BIC) results than the SLA group (p < 0.05), but the GA and GR groups were similar in this respect. New bone volumes and inter-thread bone densities (ITBD) were non-significantly different in the three groups (p > 0.05). Within the limits of this study, gamma-ray collagen crosslinking on titanium implants can be considered a substitute for glutaraldehyde crosslinking.
Uremic Toxins and Their Relation with Oxidative Stress Induced in Patients with CKD

The presence of toxins is believed to be a major factor in the development of uremia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Uremic toxins have been divided into 3 groups: small substances dissolved in water, medium molecules: peptides and low molecular weight proteins, and protein-bound toxins. One of the earliest known toxins is urea, the concentration of which was considered negligible in CKD patients. However, subsequent studies have shown that it can lead to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and induce insulin resistance in vitro and in vivo, as well as cause carbamylation of proteins, peptides, and amino acids. Other uremic toxins and their participation in the damage caused by oxidative stress to biological material are also presented. Macromolecules and molecules modified as a result of carbamylation, oxidative stress, and their adducts with uremic toxins, may lead to cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of mortality in patients with CKD.
Coronary Computer Tomography Angiography in 2021—Acquisition Protocols, Tips and Tricks and Heading beyond the Possible

Recent technological advances, together with an increasing body of evidence from randomized trials, have placed coronary computer tomography angiography (CCTA) in the center of the diagnostic workup of patients with coronary artery disease. The method was proven reliable in the diagnosis of relevant coronary artery stenosis. Furthermore, it can identify different stages of the atherosclerotic process, including early atherosclerotic changes of the coronary vessel wall, a quality not met by other non-invasive tests. In addition, newer computational software can measure the hemodynamic relevance (fractional flow reserve) of a certain stenosis. In addition, if required, information related to cardiac and valvular function can be provided with specific protocols. Importantly, recent trials have highlighted the prognostic relevance of CCTA in patients with coronary artery disease, which helped establishing CCTA as the first-line method for the diagnostic work-up of such patients in current guidelines. All this can be gathered in one relatively fast examination with minimal discomfort for the patient and, with newer machines, with very low radiation exposure. Herein, we provide an overview of the current technical aspects, indications, pitfalls, and new horizons with CCTA, providing examples from our own clinical practice.
Escherichia coli Shiga Toxins and Gut Microbiota Interactions

Escherichia coli (EHEC) and Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 are enterohemorrhagic bacteria that induce hemorrhagic colitis. This, in turn, may result in potentially lethal complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is characterized by thrombocytopenia, acute renal failure, and neurological abnormalities. Both species of bacteria produce Shiga toxins (Stxs), a phage-encoded exotoxin inhibiting protein synthesis in host cells that are primarily responsible for bacterial virulence. Although most studies have focused on the pathogenic roles of Stxs as harmful substances capable of inducing cell death and as proinflammatory factors that sensitize the host target organs to damage, less is known about the interface between the commensalism of bacterial communities and the pathogenicity of the toxins. The gut contains more species of bacteria than any other organ, providing pathogenic bacteria that colonize the gut with a greater number of opportunities to encounter other bacterial species. Notably, the presence in the intestines of pathogenic EHEC producing Stxs associated with severe illness may have compounding effects on the diversity of the indigenous bacteria and bacterial communities in the gut. The present review focuses on studies describing the roles of Stxs in the complex interactions between pathogenic Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, the resident microbiome, and host tissues. The determination of these interactions may provide insights into the unresolved issues regarding these pathogens.
Multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy brain imaging system for small animals in mobile conditions

Abstract. Significance: We propose a customized animal-specific head cap and an near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) system to obtain NIRS signals in mobile small animals. NIRS studies in mobile small animals provide a feasible solution for comprehensive brain function studies. Aim: We aim to develop and validate a multichannel NIRS system capable of performing functional brain imaging along with a closed-box stimulation kit for small animals in mobile conditions. Approach: The customized NIRS system uses light-weight long optical fibers, along with a customized light-weight head cap to securely attach the optical fibers to the mouse. A customized stimulation box was designed to perform various stimuli in a controlled environment. The system performance was tested in a visual stimulation task on eight anesthetized mice and eight freely moving mice. Results: Following the visual stimulation task, we observed a significant stimulation-related oxyhemoglobin (HbO) increase in the visual cortex of freely moving mice during the task. In contrast, HbO concentration did not change significantly in the visual cortex of anesthetized mice. Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility of a wearable, multichannel NIRS system for small animals in a less confined experimental design.
Altered Vascular Endothelium-Dependent Responsiveness in Frail Elderly Patients Recovering from COVID-19 Pneumonia: Preliminary Evidence

We evaluated vascular dysfunction with the single passive leg movement test (sPLM) in 22 frail elderly patients at 84 + 31 days after hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia, compared to 22 age-, sex- and comorbidity-matched controls (CTRL). At rest, all COVID-19 patients were in stable clinical condition without severe comorbidities. Patients (aged 72 ± 6 years, 73% male) had moderate disability (Barthel index score 77 ± 26), hypoxemia and normocapnia at arterial blood gas analysis and mild pulmonary restriction at spirometry. Values of circulating markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein: CRP; erythrocyte sedimentation rate: ESR) and coagulation (D-dimer) were: 27.13 ± 37.52 mg/dL, 64.24 ± 32.37 mm/1 h and 1043 ± 729 ng/mL, respectively. At rest, femoral artery diameter was similar in COVID-19 and CTRL (p = 0.16). On the contrary, COVID-19 infection deeply impacted blood velocity (p = 0.001) and femoral blood flow (p < 0.0001). After sPLM, peak femoral blood flow was dramatically reduced in COVID-19 compared to CTRL (p = 0.001), as was blood flow ∆peak (p = 0.05) and the area under the curve (p < 0.0001). This altered vascular responsiveness could be one of the unknown components of long COVID-19 syndrome leading to fatigue, changes in muscle metabolism and fibers’ composition, exercise intolerance and increased cardiovascular risk. Impact of specific treatments, such as exercise training, dietary supplements or drugs, should be evaluated.
Downregulation of CD73/A2AR-Mediated Adenosine Signaling as a Potential Mechanism of Neuroprotective Effects of Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Acute Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease caused by autoimmune-mediated inflammation in the central nervous system. Purinergic signaling is critically involved in MS-associated neuroinflammation and its most widely applied animal model—experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). A promising but poorly understood approach in the treatment of MS is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of continuous theta-burst stimulation (CTBS), applied over frontal cranial bone, on the adenosine-mediated signaling system in EAE, particularly on CD73/A2AR/A1R in the context of neuroinflammatory activation of glial cells. EAE was induced in two-month-old female DA rats and in the disease peak treated with CTBS protocol for ten consecutive days. Lumbosacral spinal cord was analyzed immunohistochemically for adenosine-mediated signaling components and pro- and anti-inflammatory factors. We found downregulated IL-1β and NF- κB-ir and upregulated IL-10 pointing towards a reduction in the neuroinflammatory process in EAE animals after CTBS treatment. Furthermore, CTBS attenuated EAE-induced glial eN/CD73 expression and activity, while inducing a shift in A2AR expression from glia to neurons, contrary to EAE, where tight coupling of eN/CD73 and A2AR on glial cells is observed. Finally, increased glial A1R expression following CTBS supports anti-inflammatory adenosine actions and potentially contributes to the overall neuroprotective effect observed in EAE animals after CTBS treatment.
Sperm Metabolomics through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Simple Summary Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR) is of special interest for the analysis of metabolites present in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. This metabolomic approach has been used to identify the presence of new biomarkers or their proportions in a non-invasive manner and is, therefore, an interesting tool for male fertility diagnosis. In this paper, we review current knowledge of the use of 1 H-NMR to examine sperm metabolomics in different species with special attention paid to humans and farm animals. We also describe the use of 1 H-NMR to establish a possible relationship between the mammalian diet and the presence of certain hydrophilic and lipophilic metabolites in spermatozoa. Abstract This report reviews current knowledge of sperm metabolomics analysis using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-NMR) with particular emphasis on human and farm animals. First, we present the benefits of NMR over other techniques to identify sperm metabolites and then describe the specific methodology required for NMR sperm analysis, stressing the importance of analyzing metabolites extracted from both the hydrophilic and lipophilic phases. This is followed by a description of advances produced to date in the use of NMR to diagnose infertility in humans and to identify metabolic differences among the sperm of mammalian herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore species. This last application of NMR mainly seeks to explore the possible use of lipids to fuel sperm physiology, contrary to previous theories that glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are the only sources of sperm energy. This review describes the use of NMR to identify sperm and seminal plasma metabolites as possible indicators of semen quality, and to examine the metabolites needed to maintain sperm motility, induce their capacitation, and consequently, to predict animal fertility.