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The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves a 0.933 detection rate and a 0.873 mean average precision when the threshold of intersection over union is 0.5, and it realizes high precision detection of pointer surface defects.Starch, α-polyglucan consisting of a large number of anhydroglucose units joined by α-1,4- and α-1,6-glycosidic bonds, seems to be characterized by a simple structure when compared to other natural polymers. Nevertheless, starches of various botanical origins have different physicochemical properties that are related to the differences in molecular and supramolecular structure of this polymer. In terms of the functional value of starch, the behavior of its macromolecules in solution is the most important result of its structural features. Extremely high molecular mass is the fundamental structural property of starch. Water, considered simply as a solvent for solubilization, does not provide molecular dispersion of starch without its degradation. The objectives of this study are to characterize the suitability of a new aqueous media (urea/NaOH) for enhancing the dispersion of native corn and potato starches and its effect on the consequent size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis. The results were referred to other aqueous base solvents used for dispersing starch (NaOH and KOH). The samples were separated using SEC with triple detection and phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) with urea as the eluent. The characteristics of tested normal and waxy starches were compared. see more The results revealed that urea/NaOH did not degrade starch during the dispersion process. The recovery of starches, however, was not higher than 42%. These results prove that while the urea/NaOH solvent allows to obtain cold-water-soluble starch, the degree of disintegration of the intramolecular interactions of amylopectin chains is still insufficient.The synthesis of the triarylphosphine, P(p-C6H4SF5)3 containing a SF5 group, has been achieved. The experimental and theoretical studies showed that P(p-C6H4SF5)3 is a weaker σ-donor when compared with other substituted triarylphosphines, which is consistent with the electron-withdrawing effect of the SF5 moiety. The studies also revealed a moderate air stability of the phosphine. The σ-donor capabilities of P(p-C6H4SF5)3 were estimated from the phosphorus-selenium coupling constant in SeP(p-C6H4SF5)3 and by DFT calculations. The behavior of P(p-C6H4SF5)3 as ligand has been investigated by the synthesis of the iridium and rhodium complexes [MCl(COD)P(p-C6H4SF5)3], [MCl(CO)2P(p-C6H4SF5)32] (M = Ir, Rh), or [Rh(µ-Cl)(COE)P(p-C6H4SF5)3]2, and the molecular structures of [IrCl(COD)P(p-C6H4SF5)3] and [Rh(µ-Cl)(COE)P(p-C6H4SF5)3]2 were determined by single X-ray diffraction. The structures revealed a slightly larger cone angle for P(p-C6H4SF5)3 when compared to other para-substituted triarylphosphines.In order to investigate the effects of mouthwashes on oral biofilms with probiotics, we compared in biofilms the susceptibility to mouthwashes of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Candida albicans. We also evaluated these pathogens' susceptibility to the mouthwashes and their recovery after mouthwash-rinsing in biofilms with/without LGG. First, 1-day-/3-day-old LGG-integrated multi-species biofilms were exposed for 1 min to mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, essential oils, or amine fluoride/stannous fluoride. Cells were plate-counted and relative survival rates (RSRs) of LGG and pathogens calculated. Second, 1-day-/3-day-old multispecies biofilms with and without LGG were exposed for 1 min to mouthwashes; cells were plate-counted and the pathogens' RSRs were calculated. Third, 1-day-old biofilms were treated for 1 min with mouthwashes. Cells were plate-counted immediately and after 2-day cultivation. Recovery rates of pathogens were calculated and compared between biofilms with/without LGG. Live/Dead® staining served for structural analyses. Our results showed that RSRs of LGG were insignificantly smaller than those of pathogens in both 1-day and 3-day biofilms. No significant differences appeared in pathogens' RSRs and recovery rates after treatment between biofilms with/without LGG. To conclude, biofilm LGG was susceptible to the mouthwashes; but biofilm LGG altered neither the mouthwash effects on oral pathogens nor affected their recovery.Oxidative stress (OS) arising from tissue redox imbalance, critically contributes to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, natural compounds, owing to their antioxidant properties, have promising therapeutic potential. Pres phytum (PRES) is a nutraceutical product composed of leaves- and flowers-extracts of Olea europaea L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L., respectively, the composition of which has been characterized by HPLC coupled to a UV-Vis and QqQ-Ms detector. As PRES possess antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties, the aim of this study was to assess its neuroprotective effects in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in rat brain slices subjected to OS. PRES (1-50 µg/mL) reverted the decrease in viability as well as the increase in sub-diploid-, DAPI-and annexin V-positive-cells, reduced ROS formation, recovered the mitochondrial potential and caspase-3 and 9 activity changes caused by OS. PRES (50-100 µg/mL) neuroprotective effects occurred also in rat brain slices subjected to H2O2 challenge. Finally, as the neuroprotective potential of PRES is strictly related to its penetration into the brain and a relatively good pharmacokinetic profile, an in-silico prediction of its components drug-like properties was carried out. The present results suggest the possibility of PRES as a nutraceutical, which could help in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.The comments sent by Stehr, Lundstom and Karlsson with reference to our article "Calmangafodipir reduces sensory alterations and prevents intraepidermal nerve fiber loss in a mouse model of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity" are very interesting, since they suggest possible mechanisms of action of the compound, which might contribute to its protective action [...].The aim of this study is to identify topics (knowledge and skills) from the dental curricula that would benefit from having a 3D learning resource using an exploratory sequential design method. The first phase targeted stakeholders from a Scottish dental school. Seven focus groups and three interviews disclosed 97 suitable topics for 3D technology development. These results were used to construct a survey that was sent to final year dental students, newly dental graduates and academics from three Scottish universities. The survey asked participants to rank each item based on the perceived benefit that a 3D learning resource would have for dental education. Results revealed that detailed anatomy of the temporomandibular joint, dental anaesthesiology, dental clinical skills techniques, dental occlusion and mandibular functioning were top priorities. Gender differences only appeared in relation to 'Extraction techniques movements and force' (p less then 0.05), this topic was considered to be more beneficial by females than by males. No statistical difference was found when comparing results of graduates with undergraduates. These results serve as a starting point when developing a new 3D technology tool for dental education, considering users demands and perceived needs has the potential to benefit dental students and dental education directly.Naturally derived molecules can be used as priming or defense stimulatory agents to protect against biotic stress. Fructans have gained strong interest due to their ability to induce resistance in a number of crop species. In this study, we set out to establish the role of fructan-induced immunity against the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that both inulin- and levan-type fructans from different sources can enhance Arabidopsis resistance against B. cinerea. We found that inulin from chicory roots and levan oligosaccharides from the exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium Halomonas smyrnensis primed the NADPH-oxidase-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst in response to the elicitors flg22, derived from the bacterial flagellum, and oligogalacturonides (OGs), derived from the host cell wall. Neither induced a direct ROS burst typical of elicitors. We also found a primed response after infection with B. cinerea for H2O2 accumulation and the activities of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase. Sucrose accumulated as a consequence of fructan priming, and glucose and sucrose levels increased in fructan-treated plants after infection with B. cinerea. This study shows that levan-type fructans, specifically from bacterial origin, can prime plant defenses and that both inulin and levan oligosaccharide-mediated priming is associated with changes in ROS dynamics and sugar metabolism. Establishing fructan-induced immunity in Arabidopsis is an important step to further study the underlying mechanisms since a broad range of biological resources are available for Arabidopsis.Lung cancer remains the most dangerous type of cancer despite recent progress in therapeutic modalities. Development of prognostic markers and therapeutic targets is necessary to enhance lung cancer patient survival. Sestrin family genes (Sestrin1, Sestrin2, and Sestrin3) are involved in protecting cells from stress. In particular, Sestrin2, which mainly protects cells from oxidative stress and acts as a leucine sensor protein in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, is thought to affect various cancers in different ways. To investigate the role of Sestrin2 expression in lung cancer cells, we knocked down Sestrin2 in A549, a non-small cell lung cancer cell line; this resulted in reduced cell proliferation, migration, sphere formation, and drug resistance, suggesting that Sestrin2 is closely related to lung cancer progression. We analyzed Sestrin2 expression in human tissue using various bioinformatic databases and confirmed higher expression of Sestrin2 in lung cancer cells than in normal lung cells using Oncomine and the Human Protein Atlas. Moreover, analyses using Prognoscan and KMplotter showed that Sestrin2 expression is negatively correlated with the survival of lung cancer patients in multiple datasets. Co-expressed gene analysis revealed Sestrin2-regulated genes and possible associated pathways. Overall, these data suggest that Sestrin2 expression has prognostic value and that it is a possible therapeutic target in lung cancer.Parasitoids are important natural enemies of many agricultural pests. Preserving natural habitats around agricultural fields may support parasitoid populations. However, the success of such an approach depends on the ability of parasitoids to utilize both crop and natural habitats. While these aspects have been studied extensively in temperate regions, very little is known about parasitoid communities in desert agroecosystems. We took one step in this direction by sampling parasitoids in six vineyards and their surrounding natural desert habitat in a hyper-arid region of the Negev Desert Highlands, Israel. We predicted that due to the high contrast in environmental conditions, parasitoid abundance and community composition would differ greatly between the crop and the natural desert habitats. We found that parasitoid abundance differed between the habitats; however, the exact distribution pattern depended on the time of year-with higher numbers of parasitoids in the natural habitat at the beginning of the vine growth season and higher numbers in the vineyard at the middle and end of the season.