Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of relapse and prognosis by expression levels of long noncoding RNA PEG10 in glioma patients

Abstract Background: Long noncoding RNA paternally expressed 10 (lncRNA PEG10) is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers and related to the clinical prognosis of patients. However, to date there has been no previous study evaluating the prognostic significance of lncRNA PEG10 in gliomas. In the present study, we investigated the expression levels of lncRNA PEG10 to determine the prognostic value of this oncogene in human gliomas. Methods: Expression levels of lncRNA PEG10 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction in a hospital-based study cohort of 147 glioma patients and 23 cases of patients with craniocerebral trauma tissues. Associations of lncRNA PEG10 expression with clinicopathological variables and clinical outcome of glioma patients were investigated. Results: The results indicated that expression levels of lncRNA PEG10 were significantly increased in human gliomas compared to normal control brain tissues. In addition, lncRNA PEG10 expression was progressively increased from pathologic grade I to IV (P = .009) and correlated with the Karnofsky performance status (P = .018) in glioma patients. Furthermore, we also found that glioma patients with increased expression of lncRNA PEG10 had a higher risk to relapse and a statistically significant shorter overall survival (OS) than patients with reduced expression of lncRNA PEG10. In multivariate analysis, expression level of lncRNA PEG10 was found to be an independent prognostic factor for both progression-free survival and OS in glioma patients. Conclusions: LncRNA PEG10 served as an oncogene and played crucial roles in the progression of glioma. Molecular therapy targeted on lncRNA PEG10 might bring significant benefits to the clinical outcome of malignant glioma.
Machine learning to identify persons at high-risk of HIV acquisition in rural Kenya and Uganda.

BACKGROUND In generalized epidemic settings, strategies are needed to prioritize individuals at higher risk of HIV acquisition for prevention services such as pre-exposure prophylaxis. We used population-level HIV testing data from rural Kenya and Uganda to construct HIV risk scores and assessed their ability to identify seroconversions. METHODS Between 2013-2017, >75% of residents in 16 communities in the SEARCH Study tested annually for HIV. In this population, we evaluated three strategies for using demographic factors to predict the one-year risk of HIV seroconversion: (1) membership in ≥1 known "Risk Group" (e.g., young woman or HIV-infected spouse); (2) a "Model-based" risk score constructed with logistic regression; (3) a "Machine Learning" risk score constructed with the Super Learner algorithm. We hypothesized Machine Learning would identify high-risk individuals more efficiently (fewer persons targeted for a fixed sensitivity) and with higher sensitivity (for a fixed number of persons targeted) than either other approach. RESULTS 75,558 HIV-negative persons contributed 166,723 person-years of follow-up; 519 seroconverted. Machine Learning improved efficiency; to achieve a fixed sensitivity of 50%, the Risk Group strategy targeted 42% of the population, Model-based 27%, and Machine Learning 18%. Machine Learning also improved sensitivity; with an upper limit of 45% targeted, the Risk Group strategy correctly classified 58% of seroconversions, Model-based 68%, and Machine Learning 78%. CONCLUSIONS Machine learning improved classification of individuals at risk of HIV acquisition compared to a model-based approach or reliance on known risk groups, and could inform targeting of prevention strategies in generalized epidemic settings.
Enhancement and Suppression Flexibly Guide Attention

Previous research suggests that observers can suppress salient-but-irrelevant stimuli in a top-down manner. However, one question left unresolved is whether such suppression is, in fact, solely due to distractor-feature suppression or whether it instead also reflects some degree of target-feature enhancement. The present study (N = 60) addressed this issue. On search trials (70% of trials), participants searched for a shape target when an irrelevant color singleton was either present or absent; performance was better when a color singleton was present. On interleaved probe trials (30% of trials), participants searched for a letter target. Responses were faster for the letter on a target-colored item than on a neutral-colored item, whereas responses were slower for the letter on a distractor-colored item than on a neutral-colored item. The results demonstrate that target-feature enhancement and distractor-feature suppression contribute to attentional guidance independently; enhancement and suppression flexibly guide attention as the occasion demands.
Multidisciplinary staff perspectives on the integration of spiritual care in a new setting: Israel

Abstract Objective Integrating spiritual care into multidisciplinary care teams has seen both successful thoughtful collaboration and challenges, including feelings of competition and poor cross-disciplinary understanding. In Israel, where the profession is new, we aimed to examine how spiritual care is perceived by other healthcare professionals learning to integrate spiritual caregivers into their teams. Method Semi-structured qualitative interviews of 19 professionals (seven physicians, six nurses, three social workers, two psychologists, and one medical secretary) working with spiritual caregivers in three Israeli hospitals, primarily in oncology/hematology. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. Results Respondents’ overall experience with adding a spiritual caregiver was strongly positive. Beneficial outcomes described included calmer patients and improved patient–staff relationships. Respondents identified reasons for a referral not limited to the end of life. Respondents distinguished between the role of the spiritual caregiver and those of other professions and, in response to case studies, differentiated when and how each professional should be involved. Conclusion Despite its relative newness in Israel, spiritual care is well received by a wide variety of professionals at those sites where it has been integrated. Steps to improve collaboration should include improving multidisciplinary communication to broaden the range of situations in which spiritual caregivers and other professionals work together to provide the best possible holistic care.
Assessing and addressing practitioner burnout: Results from an advanced practice registered nurse health and well-being study.

BACKGROUND Numerous nursing and physician studies have reported the effects of workload, environment, and life circumstances contributing to burnout. Effects may include job dissatisfaction, poor quality of life, and associated negative patient outcomes. Although assessing clinician burnout to determine effective interventions has become a topic of great importance, there are minimal studies specific to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). PURPOSE This single-center study was conducted to assess the prevalence and impact of APRN burnout and to recommend targeted interventions toward improvement of overall health and well-being. METHODS A cross-sectional, mixed methods design was used. The voluntary, anonymous survey examined perceptions of wellness, inclusion, social support, personal coping mechanisms, and status of burnout. RESULTS The 78-question survey was sent to 1,014 APRNs (94%) and PAs (6%), with a 43.6% response rate (n = 433); 76.4% were nurse practitioners. Participants were identified as currently experiencing burnout, formerly burned out, or never having experienced burnout. Profiles were developed, and similarities and differences between each group were compared. Of 433 respondents, 40.4% (n = 175) reported having never experienced burnout, 33.3% (n = 144) reported they had formerly experienced burnout, and 26.3% (n = 114) reported they were currently experiencing burnout. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The results of the study identified that some APRNs report experiencing burnout at different times in their careers. Recommendations by participants to mitigate burnout included self-care, organizational promotion of health and well-being, career development, and leadership support. This study is one of the first to report on burnout among APRNs and potential interventions to build resilience; however, additional research is warranted.
Influence of Carrier Gases on the Quality of Epitaxial Corundum-Structured α-Ga2O3 Films Grown by Mist Chemical Vapor Deposition Method

This report systematically investigates the influence of different carrier gases (O2, N2, and air) on the growth of gallium oxide (Ga2O3) thin films on c-plane sapphire substrates by using the mist-CVD method. Although XRD and Raman measurements show that the pure corundum-structured α-Ga2O3 with single (0006) plane orientation was successfully obtained for all three different carrier gases, the crystal quality could be greatly affected by the carrier gas. When O2 is used as the carrier gas, the smallest full-width at half maximum (FWHM), the very sharp absorption cutoff edge, the perfect lattice structure, the highest growth rate, and the smooth surface can be obtained for the epitaxial α-Ga2O3 film as demonstrated by XRD, UV-VIS, TEM, AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), and SEM measurements. It is proposed that the oxygen content in carrier gas should be responsible for all of these results. XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analysis also confirms that more oxygen elements can be included in epitaxial film when O2 is used as the carrier gas and thus help improve the crystal quality. The proper carrier gas is essential for the high quality α-Ga2O3 growth.
PRODUCTION AND MARKETING CONSTRAINTS OF SMALL STOCK FARMING: EVIDENCE FROM LIMID AND NON-LIMID FARMERS IN BOTETI SUB-DISTRICT, BOTSWANA

The majority of the rural population in Botswana keep small stock as a source of livelihood. However, small stock farmers face many constraints which impede maximization of their production and returns. Yet there is dearth of information on the major challenges they face. This study was intended to give an overview of major production and marketingconstraints faced by small stock farmers; and to identify factors influencing farmers’ participation in the LIMID program in Boteti sub-district, Botswana. Multistage samplingtechnique was used to collect data from 150 respondents selected randomly. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis and probit regression analytical techniques were used in data analysis. Factors that significantly influenced effective participation of small stock producers in the program are positive perception of the program, distance to a LIMID office, distance to a nearby cattle post, and household income. Production constraints included predators, theft, pasture scarcity, natural disasters, water scarcity and lack of transport. Further, marketing constraints were reported to be low prices, delayed payments from the government, poor roads and lack of marketing information. The study provides a basis for policy formulation to improve the effectiveness of smallholder farmers and develop measures required to help them improve their productivity.
Association of Statin and Its Lipophilicity With Cardiovascular Events in Patients Receiving Chronic Dialysis

Lipophilicity of statins has been linked to extrahepatic cell penetration and inhibition of isoprenoid synthesis and coenzyme Q10, which may affect myocardial contraction. Whether statins' lipophilicity affects the risk of cardiovascular disease development in patients under dialysis is unclear. This population‐based study included 114,929 patients undergoing chronic dialysis, retrieved from the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan from 2000 to 2013. Statins were initiated after dialysis and classified into hydrophilic and lipophilic by the duration of use. In total, 17,015 statin users and match controls were identified by using propensity score matching in 1:1 ratio. New statin use was associated with higher cardiovascular disease risk (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–1.28) but lower all‐cause mortality (aHR: 0.93, 95% CI, 0.89–0.96). Hydrophilic statins were significantly associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with lipophilic statins (aHR: 0.91, 95% CI, 0.85–0.97).
Isoforms of RNF128 Regulate the Stability of Mutant P53 in Barrett's Esophageal Cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Barrett's esophagus (BE) can progress to dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), accompanied by mutations in TP53 that increase the stability of its product, p53. We analyzed BE tissues for mRNAs that associate with BE progression and identified one that affects the stabilization of p53. METHODS We obtained 54 BE samples collected from patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), from 1992 through 2015, and performed RNA sequence analyses, including isoform-specific analyses. We performed reverse transcription PCR analyses of 166 samples and immunohistochemical analyses of tissue microarrays that contained BE tissues from 100 patients with HGD or EAC and normal esophageal squamous mucosa (controls). Proteins were expressed from transfected plasmids or knocked down with small interfering RNAs in BE cells and analyzed by immunoblots and in immunoprecipitation and ubiquitin ligase assays. Athymic nude mice bearing EAC xenograft tumors (grown from OE-33 cells) were given intraperitoneal injections of simvastatin; tumor growth was monitored and tumors were collected and analyzed by immunoblotting for levels of RNF128, p53, and acetylated p53. RESULTS Progression of BE to HGD or EAC associated with changes in expression of mRNAs that encoded mucins and promoted inflammation and activation of ATM and the DNA damage response. As tissues progressed from BE to HGD to EAC, they increased expression of mRNAs encoding isoform 1 of RNF128 (Iso1) and decreased expression of Iso2 of RNF128. RNF128 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets p53 for degradation. Incubation of BE cells with interferon gamma (IFNG) caused them to increase expression of Iso1 and reduce expression of Iso2. Iso1 was heavily glycosylated with limited ubiquitin ligase activity for p53, resulting in p53 stabilization. Knockdown of Iso1 in BE and EAC cells led to degradation of the mutant form of p53 and reduced clonogenic survival. In contrast, Iso2 was a potent ligase that reduced levels of the mutant form of p53 in BE cells. In BE cells, Iso2 was hypoglycosylated and degraded, via ATM and GSK3B-mediated phosphorylation and activation of the BTRC-containing SCF ubiquitin ligase complex. Simvastatin, which degrades the mutant form of p53, also degraded RNF128 Iso1 protein in BE cells and slowed growth of EAC xenograft tumors in mice. CONCLUSIONS We found that isoform 2 of RNF128 is decreased in BE cells, resulting in increased levels of mutant p53, whereas isoform 1 of RNF128 is increased in BE cells, further promoting the stabilization of mutant p53.
Systems genomics approaches provide new insights into Arabidopsis thaliana root growth regulation under combinatorial mineral nutrient limitation

The molecular mechanisms by which plants modulate their root growth rate (RGR) in response to nutrient deficiency are largely unknown. Using Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, we analyzed RGR variation under combinatorial mineral nutrient deficiencies involving phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). While -P stimulated early RGR of most accessions, -Fe or -Zn reduced it. The combination of either -P-Fe or -P-Zn led to suppression of the growth inhibition exerted by -Fe or -Zn alone. Surprisingly, root growth responses of the reference accession Columbia (Col-0) were not representative of the species under -P nor -Zn. Using a systems approach that combines GWAS, network-based candidate identification, and reverse genetic screen, we identified new genes that regulate root growth in -P-Fe: VIM1, FH6, and VDAC3. Our findings provide a framework to systematically identifying favorable allelic variations to improve root growth, and to better understand how plants sense and respond to multiple environmental cues.
Mechanism and scaling of wing tone generation in mosquitoes

The generation of sound from flapping (i.e. wing tones) of mosquito (Culex) wings is investigated using computational modeling. The flow field around the wing is simulated by solving the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using a sharp-interface immersed boundary method, and the aeroacoustic sound is predicted by the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equation using data from the aerodynamic simulations. In addition to the aerodynamics, the characteristics of mosquito’s wing tone, spectral directivity patterns, and generation mechanisms are investigated. The effects of wing-beat frequency and stroke amplitude are also studied, and scaling analysis for the mean lift, mechanical power, and overall wing tone sound power are performed to understand the effects of the wing shape and kinematics parameters. The analysis shows that the high wing aspect-ratio, high wing beat frequency, and small stroke amplitude adopted by mosquitoes enable efficient generation of high-intensity wing-tones for acoustic communications. The present findings may also apply to the optimized noise control in the flapping-wing micro air vehicles (FWMAV).
Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate in CKD Stages 3 and 4: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Trial.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Metabolic acidosis associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may contribute to muscle dysfunction and bone disease. We aimed to test whether treatment with sodium bicarbonate improves muscle and bone outcomes. STUDY DESIGN Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 149 patients with CKD stages 3 and 4 between July 2011 and April 2016 at 3 centers in Cleveland, OH, and the Bronx, NY. INTERVENTION Sodium bicarbonate (0.4 mEq per kg of ideal body weight per day) (n=74) or identical-appearing placebo (n=75). OUTCOMES Dual primary outcomes were muscle function assessed using sit-to-stand test and bone mineral density. Muscle biopsies were performed at baseline and 2 months. Participants were seen at baseline and 2, 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS Mean baseline serum bicarbonate level was 24.0±2.2 (SD) mEq/L and mean baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was 36.3±11.2mL/min/1.73m2. Baseline characteristics did not differ between groups. Mean serum bicarbonate levels in the intervention arm during follow-up were 26.4±2.2, 25.5±2.3, 25.6±2.6, and 24.4±2.8 mEq/L (at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months). These were significantly higher than in the placebo group (P<0.001). Compared to the placebo group, participants randomly assigned to sodium bicarbonate treatment had no significant differences in sit-to-stand time (5 repetitions: P=0.1; and 10 repetitions P=0.07) or bone mineral density (P=0.3). Sodium bicarbonate treatment caused a decrease in serum potassium levels that was of borderline statistical significance (P=0.05). There were no significant differences in estimated glomerular filtration rates, blood pressure, weight, serious adverse events, or levels of muscle gene expression between the randomly assigned groups. LIMITATIONS Initial mean serum bicarbonate level was in the normal range. CONCLUSIONS Sodium bicarbonate therapy in patients with CKD stages 3 and 4 significantly increases serum bicarbonate and decreases potassium levels. No differences were found in muscle function or bone mineral density between the randomly assigned groups. Larger trials are required to evaluate effects on kidney function. FUNDING National Institutes of Health grant. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT01452412.
Ghrelin receptor antagonism of fentanyl‐induced conditioned place preference, intravenous self‐administration, and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens in rats

The extended occurrence of fentanils abuse associated with the dramatic increase in opioid fatal overdoses and dependence strongly emphasizes insufficiencies in opioid addiction treatment. Recently, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS‐R1A) antagonism was proposed as a promising mechanism for drug addiction therapy. However, the role of GHS‐R1A and its endogenous ligand ghrelin in opioid abuse is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to clarify whether the GHS‐R1A antagonist JMV2959 could reduce the fentanyl‐induced conditioned place preference (CPP), the fentanyl intravenous self‐administration (IVSA), and the tendency to relapse, but also whether JMV2959 could significantly influence the fentanyl‐induced dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens (NAC) in rats, that importantly participates in opioids' reinforcing effects. Following an ongoing fentanyl self‐administration, JMV2959 3 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally 20 minutes before three consequent daily 360‐minute IVSA sessions under a fixed ratio FR1, which significantly reduced the number of active lever‐pressing, the number of infusions, and the fentanyl intake. Pretreatment with JMV2959 also reduced the fentanyl‐seeking/relapse‐like behaviour tested in rats on the 12th day of the forced abstinence period. Pretreatment with JMV2959 significantly and dose‐dependently reduced the manifestation of fentanyl‐CPP. The fentanyl‐CPP development was reduced after the simultaneous administration of JMV2959 with fentanyl during conditioning. The JMV2959 significantly reduced the accumbens dopamine release induced by subcutaneous and intravenous fentanyl. Simultaneously, it affected the concentration of byproducts associated with dopamine metabolism in the NAC. Our findings suggest that GHS‐R1A importantly participates in the rewarding/reinforcing effects of fentanyl.
Epigenetic abnormalities of classical Hodgkin lymphoma and its effect on immune escape

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is a particular kind of malignant tumour that originates from the B cells. The malignant phenotype of cHL is, at least in part, maintained by epigenetic aberrations, which primarily consist of abnormal histone methylation and acetylation. Progress has been made in clinical trials concerning the histone deacetylases inhibitors (HDACis) in cHL. Also, some demethylation regimens could serve the purpose of preventing and treating tumours. Programmed death‐ligand receptor 1 (PD‐L1, CD274) inhibitors or apoptosis receptor 1 (PD‐1, CD279) inhibitors are used in treating patients with relapsed cHL in recent years. Academic researches indicated that PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors, including nivolumab and pembrolizumab, demonstrate remarkable activity in relapsed cHL. In addition, in recent years, a close association between epigenetic aberrations and immune escape has been explored in cHL. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors, HDACis, and immune checkpoint blockade exhibit synergistic effects. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview on the epigenetic abnormalities of cHL and its effect on immune escape, in order to explore the optimal combination approach to treat the disease.