Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Upfront surgery for stage IIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer: retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Stage III non-small cell lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Several international guidelines recommend neoadjuvant treatment before surgery; however, upfront surgery is the preferred approach for technically resectable non-small cell lung cancer in East Asia. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of curative-intent upfront surgery in stage IIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Patients who underwent curative-intent upfront surgery with stage cIIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer were identified. The clinical and pathological variables and survival outcomes were evaluated. Results Overall, 664 patients were identified, of whom 320 (48.8%) had N2 disease, 66.7% were males, 49.4% had a smoking history, and 61.2% had lung adenocarcinoma. Lobectomy was the most performed surgical procedure (84.9%). A total of 40 patients (6.02%) had positive margins (R1/R2). The grade III adverse event rate was 2.0% (13 of 664). The median follow-up was 30.6 (range 1.9–97.7) months. At follow-up, the mortality rate was 13.3% (88 of 664) and 37.2% of patients (247 of 664) had recurrence. Lung (101 of 247 (40.9%)) and brain (53 of 247 (21.5%)) were the most common sites of recurrence. The median overall survival was 60.0 (95% c.i. 51.5 to 67.6) months, with overall survival probability at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years being 89.6%, 77.8%, 67.2%, and 49.0% respectively. The R0 cohort showed an improved median overall survival compared with the R1/R2 cohort (67.4 versus 26.5 months respectively; P = greater than 0.001). The multivariable analysis revealed that age greater than or equal to 65 years (HR 1.51, 95% c.i. 1.08 to 2.12; reference = age less than 65 years), tumour size (greater than or equal to 5 cm (HR 2.13, 95% c.i. 1.41 to 3.21) and greater than or equal to 3 cm but less than 5 cm (HR 1.15, 95% c.i. 0.78 to 1.71); reference = less than 3 cm), and adjuvant treatment (chemotherapy (HR 0.69, 95% c.i. 0.49 to 0.96) and targeted therapy (HR 0.30, 95% c.i. 0.12 to 0.76); reference = none) significantly predicted overall survival. Conclusion Upfront surgery is an option for the management of stage IIIA/B non-small cell lung cancer.
On a matrix framework for the Teager-Kaiser energy operator

The non-linear, second-order, Teager-Kaiser energy operator (TKEO) finds applications in numerous areas such as speech processing, image processing, communications, biomedical problems, and abrupt event detection. In quantum mechanics, the Hamiltonian is considered the energy operator whose eigenvalue is the scalar energy. In this work, we provide a matrix framework for the Teager-Kaiser operator and several of its generalizations, interpreting the eigenvalues of the presented energy matrices as the square-root of the TKEO or its generalization.
Frequent subgraph pattern mining on uncertain graph data

Graph data are subject to uncertainties in many applications due to incompleteness and imprecision of data. Mining uncertain graph data is semantically different from and computationally more challenging than mining exact graph data. This paper investigates the problem of mining frequent subgraph patterns from uncertain graph data. The frequent subgraph pattern mining problem is formalized by designing a new measure called expected support. An approximate mining algorithm is proposed to find an approximate set of frequent subgraph patterns by allowing an error tolerance on the expected supports of the discovered subgraph patterns. The algorithm uses an efficient approximation algorithm to determine whether a subgraph pattern can be output or not. The analytical and experimental results show that the algorithm is very efficient, accurate and scalable for large uncertain graph databases.
Efficacy and safety of nalbuphine for epidural labor analgesia at high altitude: An observational study

Xining is located at the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of >7000 feet (>2000 m). Nalbuphine is a kappa-opioid receptor agonist that can provide analgesia with fewer side effects than other opioid analgesics. This study aimed to evaluate pain control, side effects, and neonatal outcomes from combining nalbuphine with sufentanil and ropivacaine in 600 women during epidural anesthesia while giving birth at a high altitude in Xining, China. A total of 600 parturients receiving epidural labor analgesia were randomly divided into 2 groups, each group 300 parturients. The nalbuphine group received nalbuphine, sufentanil, and ropivacain, the control group only received sufentanil and ropivacain. The analgesic effect was evaluated through the Visual Analogue Scale scores. Neonatal outcomes were mainly evaluated through the Apgar Scores. Compared to the control group, the nalbuphine group showed lower Visual Analogue Scale scores at all time points after analgesia (P < .05). In comparison with the control group, parturients in the nalbuphine group showed lower incidence rates of fever at delivery, 24-hour postpartum bleeding, and pruritus (P < .05). However, between the 2 groups, there were no statistically significant differences in the remaining maternal and infant outcomes and neonatal outcomes (P > .05). Moreover, no adverse effects on neonatal outcomes were observed. The findings from this study support findings from previous studies that nalbuphine provided safe epidural analgesia without significant side effects for the mother and infant, and showed both safety and efficacy when used during labor at high altitude.
What are the available online resources targeting psychosocial burden among stroke survivors and their informal caregivers: A scoping review

Background After discharge home, stroke survivors and their informal caregivers face a significant lack of support and information which accentuates their psychosocial burden. Online resources might provide this support and address psychosocial needs, but existing online stroke programmes mainly target functional rehabilitation. We aimed to map the existing literature on online resources that have been evaluated in stroke rehabilitation and aimed at reducing psychosocial impact in stroke survivors and informal caregivers. Methods MEDLINE was searched (2010–2024) to identify studies investigating online resources targeting psychosocial health. Studies were selected and extracted independently by two reviewers. We described the content, use, and psychosocial impact of these interventions using a narrative approach. Results Eleven studies were included in the review, reporting 10 online resources (two studies relating to the same resource). Online resources were heterogeneous: eight information/resources websites, one mobile app, and one forum. Five online resources were dedicated to stroke survivors, four to stroke survivors and their informal caregivers, and one to informal caregivers. Two randomized controlled trials reported a significant decrease in depressive symptoms associated with the use of online resources. Stroke survivors and informal caregivers find online resources useful and acceptable to address their psychosocial needs. Conclusions Few online stroke resources have been designed and evaluated to support post-stroke psychosocial rehabilitation. Further larger-scale research needs to study the impact of these interventions on psychosocial recovery over time.
Death and dying

Death is the new sex, last great taboo in Western society and Western medicine, as Richard Smith discusses in his editorial (p 129). In the trinity of births, marriages, and deaths, only death does not have glossy magazines devoted to stylish consumption at the attendant ceremonies. On the web, of course, …
Lateral Distribution of NBD-PC Fluorescent Lipid Analogs in Membranes Probed by Molecular Dynamics-Assisted Analysis of Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) and Fluorescence Quenching

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a powerful tool used for many problems in membrane biophysics, including characterization of the lateral distribution of lipid components and other species of interest. However, quantitative analysis of FRET data with a topological model requires adequate choices for the values of several input parameters, some of which are difficult to obtain experimentally in an independent manner. For this purpose, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can be potentially useful as they provide direct detailed information on transverse probe localization, relative probe orientation, and membrane surface area, all of which are required for analysis of FRET data. This is illustrated here for the FRET pairs involving 1,6-diphenylhexatriene (DPH) as donor and either 1-palmitoyl,2-(6-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino] hexanoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C6-NBD-PC) or 1-palmitoyl,2-(12-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]dodecanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C12-NBD-PC) as acceptors, in fluid vesicles of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-3-glycerophosphocholine (DPPC, 50 °C). Incorporation of results from MD simulations improves the statistical quality of model fitting to the experimental FRET data. Furthermore, the decay of DPH in the presence of moderate amounts of C12-NBD-PC (>0.4 mol%) is consistent with non-random lateral distribution of the latter, at variance with C6-NBD-PC, for which aggregation is ruled out up to 2.5 mol% concentration. These conclusions are supported by analysis of NBD-PC fluorescence self-quenching. Implications regarding the relative utility of these probes in membrane studies are discussed.
Prevalence of Multidrug-resistant, Extensively Drug-resistant, and Pandrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a Tertiary Level Intensive Care Unit

Background: Infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is common in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The organism is classified into various phenotypes based on the drug resistance pattern, namely, drug-resistant (DR), multi-DR (MDR), extensively DR (XDR), and pan-DR (PDR). We aim to study the incidence of P. aeruginosa phenotypes in a tertiary level ICU. Materials and Methods: We conducted this prospective, observational study for 2 years (January 2014-December 2015) and collected appropriate clinical samples (blood, urine, wound discharge, etc.,) from all the patients admitted to ICU. We excluded patients with known septicemia and P. aeruginosa infection. Group 1 comprised a total 1915 patient samples and Group 2 comprised 100 active surveillance samples, collected from the medical staff and the hospital environment. The data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, and a P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We isolated 597 pathogenic bacteria out of 1915 specimens, giving a culture positivity rate of 31.2%. Klebsiella (43%), Acinetobacter (22%), and P. aeruginosa (15%) were the top three isolated bacteria. None of the surveillance samples grew P. aeruginosa. Antibiotic resistance studies revealed that 47.7% of P. aeruginosa isolates were DR, 50% were MDR, and 2.3% were XDR phenotype. None of the strains showed PDR phenotype. Conclusion: Our data revealed a high prevalence of DR phenotypes of P. aeruginosa in the ICU. Judicious use of antibiotics and strict infection control measures are essential to reduce the prevalence of drug resistance.
An Overview of Chitosan Nanoparticles and Its Application in Non-Parenteral Drug Delivery

The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the chitosan based nanoparticles for various non-parenteral applications and also to put a spotlight on current research including sustained release and mucoadhesive chitosan dosage forms. Chitosan is a biodegradable, biocompatible polymer regarded as safe for human dietary use and approved for wound dressing applications. Chitosan has been used as a carrier in polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery through various routes of administration. Chitosan has chemical functional groups that can be modified to achieve specific goals, making it a polymer with a tremendous range of potential applications. Nanoparticles (NP) prepared with chitosan and chitosan derivatives typically possess a positive surface charge and mucoadhesive properties such that can adhere to mucus membranes and release the drug payload in a sustained release manner. Chitosan-based NP have various applications in non-parenteral drug delivery for the treatment of cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, pulmonary diseases, drug delivery to the brain and ocular infections which will be exemplified in this review. Chitosan shows low toxicity both in vitro and some in vivo models. This review explores recent research on chitosan based NP for non-parenteral drug delivery, chitosan properties, modification, toxicity, pharmacokinetics and preclinical studies.
Stellera chamaejasme L. extract inhibits adipocyte differentiation through activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

Stellera chamaejasme L. (SCL) is a perennial herb with demonstrated bioactivities against inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Adipocyte differentiation is a critical regulator of metabolic homeostasis and a promising target for the treatment of metabolic diseases, so we examined the effects of SCL on adipogenesis. A methanol extract of SCL dose-dependently suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation in adipocyte precursors cultured under differentiation induction conditions and reduced expression of the adipogenic transcription factors PPARγ and C/EBPα as well as the downstream lipogenic genes fatty acid binding protein 4, adiponectin, fatty acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase. The extract also promoted precursor cell proliferation and altered expression of the cell cycle regulators cyclin-dependent kinase 4, cyclin E, and cyclin D1. In addition, SCL extract stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, while pharmacological inhibition of ERK effectively blocked the inhibitory effects of SCL extract on preadipocyte differentiation. These results suggest that SCL extract contains bioactive compounds that can suppress adipogenesis through modulation of the ERK pathway.
Studying the Relationship between Robustness against Mutations in Metabolic Networks and Lifestyle of Organisms

Robustness is the key feature of biological networks that enables living organisms to keep their homeostatic state and to survive against external and internal perturbations. Variations in environmental conditions or nutrients and intracellular changes such as genetic mutations have the potential to change stability and efficiency of an organism. Structural robustness helps biological systems to choose alternative routes of adaptation to varying conditions. In this study, in order to estimate the structural robustness in metabolic networks we presented a novel flux balance-based approach inspired by bond percolation theory. Fourteen in silico metabolic models were studied in this work in order to examine the possible relationship between the lifestyle of organisms and their metabolic robustness. The results of this study confirm that in organisms which are highly adapted to their environment robustness to mutations may decrease compared to other organisms.
Causal association of TSH with ischemic heart diseases and heart failure: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study

Thyroid dysfunction is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, whether plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in subjects with euthyroidism affect the risk of cardiovascular disease remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the causal association between plasma TSH levels and cardiovascular diseases, particularly ischemic heart disease and heart failure (HF). Summary statistics from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit Open genome-wide association studies Project and FinnGen consortium were used to investigate the causal relationship between plasma TSH levels and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis using inverse-variance weighting as the primary method was performed. The MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier and leave-one-out methods were used to ensure the robustness of our findings. Genetically determined plasma TSH levels were associated with major coronary heart disease events (OR 1.0557, 95% CI 1.0141–1.0991), all-cause HF (OR 0.9587, 95% CI 0.9231–0.9956), and HF + non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (OR 0.9318, 95% CI 0.8786–0.9882). After the Bonferroni correction, the causation described above disappeared. In the secondary analysis, genetically determined higher TSH levels were associated with a higher risk for unstable angina pectoris (OR 1.0913, 95% CI 1.0350–1.1507), but were associated with a lower risk for HF + overweight (OR 0.9265, 95% CI 0.8821–0.9731). These results were further validated using sensitivity analysis. Our findings show that increased plasma TSH levels in patients with euthyroidism may increase the risk of unstable angina pectoris but reduce the risk of HF in overweight patients. This evidence indicates that plasma TSH levels may need to be carefully controlled in specific patients.
Genetic parentage reveals the (un)natural history of Central Valley hatchery steelhead

Abstract Populations composed of individuals descended from multiple distinct genetic lineages often feature significant differences in phenotypic frequencies. We considered hatchery production of steelhead, the migratory anadromous form of the salmonid species Oncorhynchus mykiss, and investigated how differences among genetic lineages and environmental variation impacted life history traits. We genotyped 23,670 steelhead returning to the four California Central Valley hatcheries over 9 years from 2011 to 2019, confidently assigning parentage to 13,576 individuals to determine age and date of spawning and rates of iteroparity and repeat spawning within each year. We found steelhead from different genetic lineages showed significant differences in adult life history traits despite inhabiting similar environments. Differences between coastal and Central Valley steelhead lineages contributed to significant differences in age at return, timing of spawning, and rates of iteroparity among programs. In addition, adaptive genomic variation associated with life history development in this species varied among hatchery programs and was associated with the age of steelhead spawners only in the coastal lineage population. Environmental variation likely contributed to variations in phenotypic patterns observed over time, as our study period spanned both a marine heatwave and a serious drought in California. Our results highlight evidence of a strong genetic component underlying known phenotypic differences in life history traits between two steelhead lineages.
The diurnal activity budget of the pintail Anas acuta wintering in the Lac des Oiseaux (North-East Algeria)

The wintering of the pintail duck Anas acuta at Lac des Oiseaux has been studied from September 2014 to March 2015. The size of the population was low and varied between months. They did not exceed 40 individuals counted during the month of December. The study of the rhythms of activities showed, that the dominant activity during the wintering was feeding with 59% of the time of activities, it was followed by rest and swimming with 16.66% and finally the preening with 4.83%. Thus, for the pintails the reserves necessary for migration and reproduction are probably gained at least on the wintering area.
Electrophysiological correlates of symbolic numerical order processing

Determining if a sequence of numbers is ordered or not is one of the fundamental aspects of numerical processing linked to concurrent and future arithmetic skills. While some studies have explored the neural underpinnings of order processing using functional magnetic resonance imaging, our understanding of electrophysiological correlates is comparatively limited. To address this gap, we used a three-item symbolic numerical order verification task (with Arabic numerals from 1 to 9) to study event-related potentials (ERPs) in 73 adult participants in an exploratory approach. We presented three-item sequences and manipulated their order (ordered vs. unordered) as well as their inter-item numerical distance (one vs. two). Participants had to determine if a presented sequence was ordered or not. They also completed a speeded arithmetic fluency test, which measured their arithmetic skills. Our results revealed a significant mean amplitude difference in the grand average ERP waveform between ordered and unordered sequences in a time window of 500–750 ms at left anterior-frontal, left parietal, and central electrodes. We also identified distance-related amplitude differences for both ordered and unordered sequences. While unordered sequences showed an effect in the time window of 500–750 ms at electrode clusters around anterior-frontal and right-frontal regions, ordered sequences differed in an earlier time window (190–275 ms) in frontal and right parieto-occipital regions. Only the mean amplitude difference between ordered and unordered sequences showed an association with arithmetic fluency at the left anterior-frontal electrode. While the earlier time window for ordered sequences is consistent with a more automated and efficient processing of ordered sequential items, distance-related differences in unordered sequences occur later in time.