Supplementary Material for: Analysis of the Cariogenic Potential of Various Almond Milk Beverages using a Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Model in vitro

<p>To evaluate the cariogenic properties of almond milk beverages, 6 almond milks, along with soy and whole bovine milk, were analyzed for their abilities to support <i>Streptococcus mutans </i>biofilm formation and acid production, and their capacity to buffer changes in pH. Biofilm formation by <i>S. mutans</i> was analyzed using an in vitro 96-well plate model and measured by crystal violet staining. Acid production by <i>S. mutans</i> was evaluated by a colorimetric L-lactate assay and pH measurement of bacterial cultures. Buffering capacity was assessed by a pH titration assay. Soy milk supported the most biofilm growth, while the least was observed with unsweetened almond milk (both <i>p </i>< 0.001). Among almond milks, sucrose-sweetened milk led to the highest level of biofilm formation (<i>p </i>< 0.001), while the least was observed with unsweetened milk (<i>p </i>< 0.05). Sucrose-sweetened almond milk yielded the lowest pH (4.56 ± 0.66), followed by soy milk and bovine milk; the highest pH was with unsweetened almond milk (6.48 ± 0.5). When analyzed by pH titration, the unsweetened almond milk displayed the weakest buffering capacity while bovine milk showed the highest (<i>p </i>< 0.001). These results suggest that the almond milk beverages, except those that are sweetened with sucrose, possess limited cariogenic properties, while soy milk exhibits the most cariogenic potential. As milk alternatives become increasingly popular, dentists must counsel their patients that almond milks, especially sucrose-sweetened varieties, have cariogenic potential. For patients who are lactose-intolerant or suffer from milk allergy, almond milks may be a better alternative than soy-based products.</p

Supplementary Material for: Chromosome Nomenclature and Cytological Characterization of Sacred Lotus

<p>Sacred lotus is a basal eudicot plant that has been cultivated in Asia for over 7,000 years for its agricultural, ornamental, religious, and medicinal importance. A notable characteristic of lotus is the seed longevity. Extensive endeavors have been devoted to dissect its genome assembly, including the variety China Antique, which germinated from a 1,300-year-old seed. Here, cytogenetic markers representing the 10 largest megascaffolds, which constitute approximately 70% of the lotus genome assembly, were developed. These 10 megascaffolds were then anchored to the corresponding lotus chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization using these cytogenetic markers, and a set of chromosome-specific cytogenetic markers that could unambiguously identify each of the 8 chromosomes was generated. Karyotyping was conducted, and a nomenclature based on chromosomal length was established for the 8 chromosomes of China Antique. Comparative karyotyping revealed relatively conserved chromosomal structures between China Antique and 3 modern cultivars. Interestingly, significant variations in the copy number of 45S rDNA were detected between China Antique and modern cultivars. Our results provide a comprehensive view on the chromosomal structure of sacred lotus and will facilitate further studies and the genome assembly of lotus.</p

Supplementary Material for: Rs1520220 and Rs2195239 Polymorphisms of IGF-1 Gene Associated with Histopathological Grades in IgA Nephropathy in Northwestern Chinese Han Population

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays important roles in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and growth. Previous studies showed that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IGF-1 are associated with various diseases. This case-control study aimed to examine the relationship between IGF-1 polymorphisms and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) risk in a Chinese Han population. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We recruited 351 IgAN patients and 310 healthy controls from Northwestern China. Sequenom MassARRAY was utilized to examine the genotypes of two common IGF-1 SNPs (rs1520220 and rs2195239). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by the Chi square test to evaluate the associations between IGF-1 and IgAN. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Our study demonstrated that IGF-1 gene rs1520220 and rs2195239 polymorphisms did not confer susceptibility to IgAN. We found no correlation between gender, blood pressure, proteinuria, eGFR, and IgAN in both SNPs. However, the rs1520220 and rs2195239 variants were correlated with M1 and E1 in patients with IgAN (M0/M1: CC vs. CG+GG: OR = 1.62, <i>P</i> = 0.04; E0/E1: CC vs. CG+GG: OR = 1.95, <i>P</i> = 0.004; GG vs. GC+CC: OR = 1.90, <i>P</i> = 0.004, respectively). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These results indicate that IGF-1 gene polymorphisms play crucial roles in the histopathological progression of IgAN in the Chinese Han population