Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Arabidopsis PHB3 is a pleiotropic regulator for plant development

ABSTRACT Prohibitins (PHBs) are composed of an obviously conserved protein family in eukaryotic cells. Despite the extensive and in-depth research of mammalian PHB1 and PHB2, the plant prohibitins functions are not completely elucidated and little is known about their mechanism of action. This review focuses on the current knowledge about the protein subcellular localization, interaction proteins and target genes of PHB3. Furthermore, we discussed the roles of PHB3 protein in plant growth and development, plant responses to abiotic or biotic stresses and its participation in phytohormonal signaling.
Consumers’ Perceptions of Five Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels: An Experimental Study Across 12 Countries

Consumers’ perceptions of five front-of-pack nutrition label formats (health star rating (HSR), multiple traffic lights (MTL), Nutri-Score, reference intakes (RI) and warning label) were assessed across 12 countries (Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, the UK and the USA). Perceptions assessed included liking, trust, comprehensibility, salience and desire for the label to be mandatory. A sample of 12,015 respondents completed an online survey in which they rated one of the five (randomly allocated) front-of-pack labels (FoPLs) along the perception dimensions described above. Respondents viewing the MTL provided the most favourable ratings. Perceptions of the other FoPLs were mixed or neutral. No meaningful or consistent patterns were observed in the interactions between country and FoPL type, indicating that culture was not a strong predictor of general perceptions. The overall ranking of the FoPLs differed somewhat from previous research assessing their objective performance in terms of enhancing understanding of product healthiness, in which the Nutri-Score was the clear front-runner. Respondents showed a strong preference for mandatory labelling, regardless of label condition, which is consistent with past research showing that the application of labels across all products leads to healthier choices.
Application of measures of weak noncompactness to a nonlocal Darboux problem

Abstract In this paper we study the existence of pseudosolutions of a nonlocal hyperbolic Darboux problem for the equation ∂2u∂x∂y(x,y)=f((x,y),u(x,y)) $${{\partial ^2 u} \over {\partial x\partial y}}(x,y) = f((x,y),u(x,y))$$ with nonlocal boundary conditions u(x, 0) + h1(x, u) = g1(x), u(0, y) + h2(y, u) = g2(y), on the bounded region. The functions considered have values in a Banach space and are weakly-weakly sequentially continuous, and the relevant integrals are Pettis integrals.
First-in-Human Phase I Clinical Trial of Pharmacologic Ascorbate Combined with Radiation and Temozolomide for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

Purpose: Standard treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) includes surgery, radiation therapy (RT), and temozolomide (TMZ), yielding a median overall survival (OS) of approximately 14 months. Preclinical models suggest that pharmacologic ascorbate (P-AscH−) enhances RT/TMZ antitumor effect in GBM. We evaluated the safety of adding P-AscH− to standard RT/TMZ therapy. Patients and Methods: This first-in-human trial was divided into an RT phase (concurrent RT/TMZ/P-AscH−) and an adjuvant (ADJ) phase (post RT/TMZ/P-AscH− phase). Eight P-AscH− dose cohorts were evaluated in the RT phase until targeted plasma ascorbate levels were achieved (≥20 mmol/L). In the ADJ phase, P-AscH− doses were escalated in each subject at each cycle until plasma concentrations were ≥20 mmol/L. P-AscH− was infused 3 times weekly during the RT phase and 2 times weekly during the ADJ phase continuing for six cycles or until disease progression. Adverse events were quantified by CTCAE (v4.03). Results: Eleven subjects were evaluable. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred. Observed toxicities were consistent with historical controls. Adverse events related to study drug were dry mouth and chills. Targeted ascorbate plasma levels of 20 mmol/L were achieved in the 87.5 g cohort; diminishing returns were realized in higher dose cohorts. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9.4 months and median OS was 18 months. In subjects with undetectable MGMT promoter methylation (n = 8), median PFS was 10 months and median OS was 23 months. Conclusions: P-AscH−/RT/TMZ is safe with promising clinical outcomes warranting further investigation.
Local Manifold Augmentation for Multiview Semantic Consistency

Multiview self-supervised representation learning roots in exploring semantic consistency across data of complex intra-class variation. Such variation is not directly accessible and therefore simulated by data augmentations. However, commonly adopted augmentations are handcrafted and limited to simple geometrical and color changes, which are unable to cover the abundant intra-class variation. In this paper, we propose to extract the underlying data variation from datasets and construct a novel augmentation operator, named local manifold augmentation (LMA). LMA is achieved by training an instance-conditioned generator to fit the distribution on the local manifold of data and sampling multiview data using it. LMA shows the ability to create an infinite number of data views, preserve semantics, and simulate complicated variations in object pose, viewpoint, lighting condition, background etc. Experiments show that with LMA integrated, self-supervised learning methods such as MoCov2 and SimSiam gain consistent improvement on prevalent benchmarks including CIFAR10, CIFAR100, STL10, ImageNet100, and ImageNet. Furthermore, LMA leads to representations that obtain more significant invariance to the viewpoint, object pose, and illumination changes and stronger robustness to various real distribution shifts reflected by ImageNet-V2, ImageNet-R, ImageNet Sketch etc.
The Impact of Primary Treatment on Post-Traumatic Endophthalmitis in Children with Open Globe Injuries: A Study in China

Post-traumatic endophthalmitis (PTE) is considered as one of the most serious complications after open globe injuries (OGIs), especially in children. Poor prognosis of this disease can lead to a variety of socioeconomic problems. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of pediatric OGIs and the factors associated with the development of PTE in China. 131 patients under 14 years old and needed hospitalization for management of OGIs were enrolled. There were 90 males and 41 females. 44 patients were left-behind children, the majority were 3–6 years old (n = 71, 71/131, 54.2%) and living in rural area (n = 106, 106/131, 80.9%). After injury, 82 patients received primary repair within 24 h, with the remaining 49 patients receiving primary repair after 24 h. Eventually, there were 28 (28/131, 21.4%) patients presented with PTE. In those 49 patients, the frequency of PTE achieving 32.7% (16/49). Univariate analysis showed that the timing of primary repair is significantly associated with the development of PTE (p < 0.05). Moreover, left-behind children took higher risks in having delayed treatment that over 24 h after OGIs (OR = 2.466, 95% CI: 1.16–5.26). Reducing the time before primary repair is a useful strategy to prevent the development of PTE. Special supervision is needed for pre-school-aged boys living in rural areas, especially for left-behind children.
Comparing Web-based and Classroom-based Memory Training for Older Adults: The ACTIVE Memory WorksTM Study.

OBJECTIVES Compare the efficacy of a web-based versus a classroom-based memory training program in enhancing cognition and everyday functioning in older adults, and program satisfaction and acceptability. METHOD Participants (N=208; Mean age=71.1) were randomly assigned to web-based or classroom-based training, or to a wait-list control condition. Cognitive and everyday functioning measures were administered at baseline, immediate, and 6-months post-training; both training groups evaluated program satisfaction and acceptability at immediate post-training. Repeated-measures ANOVAs assessed training effects on cognitive and functioning outcomes; independent-samples t-tests assessed group differences in program satisfaction and acceptability. RESULTS Compared to controls, neither training group showed a significant improvement on measures of memory or everyday functioning as assessed by dependence or difficulty on instrumental activities of daily living over time. Training effects did not transfer to non-trained cognitive abilities. The web-based group was as satisfied with the training as the classroom-based group (p>.05). DISCUSSION Although no significant training effects were found, we demonstrated that a web-based platform is an acceptable and feasible mode to provide memory training to healthy older adults. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential of web-based memory training programs for improving cognition and function in cognitively healthy older adults.
Viruses in Skin Cancer (VIRUSCAN): Study Design and Baseline Characteristics of a Prospective Clinic-Based Cohort Study

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that cutaneous viral infections are risk factors for the development of keratinocyte carcinomas. The Viruses in Skin Cancer (VIRUSCAN) Study, a prospective cohort study, was established in 2014 to investigate the risk of keratinocyte carcinoma associated with cutaneous human papillomavirus and polyomavirus infection and the possible interaction with ultraviolet radiation exposure (UVR). Methods/Results: VIRUSCAN incorporates repeated measures of viral infection using multiple markers of infection and quantitative measures of UVR using a spectrophotometer. Participants were recruited between July 14, 2014 and August 31, 2017 at the University of South Florida Dermatology Clinic in Tampa, FL. After excluding 124 individuals with prevalent keratinocyte carcinomas at baseline, 1,179 participants (53.2% women, 46.8% men, all ages 60 years and older) were followed for up to 4 years with routine skin exams occurring every 6 to 12 months. Here, we present the VIRUSCAN Study design, methods, and baseline characteristics, including demographics, sun exposure behavior, quantitative UVR exposure measurements, and cutaneous viral prevalence, for the full study cohort. Conclusions: The VIRUSCAN Study will provide critical temporal evidence needed to assess the causality of the role cutaneous viral infections play in the development of keratinocyte carcinomas, as well as the potential interaction between cutaneous viral infections and UVR exposure. Impact: Study findings will be valuable in future development of novel keratinocyte carcinoma prevention strategies.
Predictors of Hearing Aid Use in the Advanced Digital Era: An Investigation of Benefit, Satisfaction, and Self-Efficacy

Abstract Background: Untreated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been linked to depression, social isolation, anxiety, and a reduction in health-related quality of life (QoL), and is independently associated with cognitive decline. Only one in five persons with SNHL pursues amplification; 76–97% of those having hearing aids report regular or occasional use. Although hearing aid use during all waking hours is advocated for children, recommendations for adults are not as clear. Treatment outcomes, including benefit, satisfaction, and self-efficacy with hearing aids, may be predictors of self-reported hearing aid use, which is useful in clinical practice. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine average hours of self-reported daily hearing aid use by adults and if treatment outcome measures of benefit, satisfaction, and self-efficacy with hearing aids can predict self-reported daily hearing aid use in adults. Research Design: The present study was a prospective cross-sectional survey with retrospective chart review. Study Sample: The study sample consisted of 152 experienced adult advanced digital technology (ADT) hearing aid users between 18 and 90 years of age who were patients in a two-office private practice in California. Data Collection and Analysis: A postal survey was sent to 500 experienced adult ADT hearing aid users. Participants completed the Visual Analog Scale for Daily Use of Hearing Aids (VASuse) and validated measures of (1) self-efficacy, (2) satisfaction, and (3) benefit. Retrospective data were collected for all respondents via chart review. Multivariable linear regression was used to explore relationships between treatment outcomes and hearing aid use. Results: Experienced hearing aid users wore their hearing aids an average of 12.0 h/day. Daily hearing aid use was significantly associated with residual participation restriction (RPR) on the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) item 5 (p = 0.02). The VASuse was significantly associated with the IOI-HA factor 1, “Me and My Hearing Aids” (p = 0.03), an aggregate measure of satisfaction, benefit, and QoL. Conclusions: Participants reported wearing their hearing aids an average of 12.0 h/day. Self-reported daily hearing aid use was associated with a combination of satisfaction, benefit, and increased QoL, and with RPR. The interconnectedness of satisfaction, benefit, and QoL positively affected hearing aid use, and greater levels of RPR seemed to discourage hearing aid use. If hearing aid owners are inconsistent or nonusers, then counseling and outcome measures should be used in the domains of satisfaction, benefit, and QoL. Future research should involve additional ADT hearing aid users with different experience levels across various study sites.
Widespread higher fractional anisotropy associates to better cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis

In schizophrenia patients, cognitive functions appear linked to widespread alterations in cerebral white matter microstructure. Here we examine patterns of associations between regional white matter and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. One hundred and sixteen individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis and 49 matched healthy controls underwent 3 T magnetic resonance diffusion‐weighted imaging and cognitive assessments. Group differences on fractional anisotropy were tested using tract‐based spatial statistics. Group differences in cognitive functions, voxel‐wise as well as regional fractional anisotropy were tested using univariate general linear modeling. Multivariate partial least squares correlation analyses tested for associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions. Univariate analyses revealed significant impairments on cognitive functions and lower fractional anisotropy in superior longitudinal fasciculus and cingulate gyrus in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. Partial least squares correlation analysis revealed different associations between patterns of regional fractional anisotropy and cognitive functions in individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis compared to healthy controls. Widespread higher fractional anisotropy was associated with better cognitive functioning for individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis, but not for the healthy controls. Furthermore, patterns of cognitive functions were associated with an interaction‐effect on regional fractional anisotropy in fornix, medial lemniscus, uncinate fasciculus, and superior cerebellar peduncle. Aberrant associations between patterns of cognitive functions to white matter may be explained by dysmyelination.
Deciphering the conformational preferences of furanosides. A molecular dynamics study

Abstract Furanoses are an important group of natural saccharides as well as the components of crucial biomolecules such as nucleic acids. Contrary to pyranoses, they exhibit much larger inherent flexibility which amplifies the difficulty in determining their conformational preferences. We carried out a series of molecular dynamics simulations oriented at systematic analysis of conformational properties of unfunctionalized furanose monosaccharides (all members of d-aldopento- and d-aldotetrofuranoses). The results concern the description of the influence of the ring substituents (with respect of their type, location and orientation) on the geometry of the furanose ring. The main energetic contributions to the barriers on the pseudorotation path are associated with the following types of interactions: (i) unfavorable interactions between uniformly oriented vicinal ring substituents; (ii) unfavorable syn-axial interactions between uniformly oriented non-vicinal ring substituents; (iii) endo-anomeric effect. The interactions resulting from the presence of the particular ring substituents are not additive and cannot be used to obtain the pseudorotational profiles. The orientation of the hydroxymethyl group and the conformation of the ring are not mutually correlated. Contrary, the ring conformational preferences are correlated with the orientation of the lactol group via the influence of the exo-anomeric effect. Finally, analogously to pyranoses, also in the case of furanoses, the intramolecular hydrogen bonding does not play any essential role in conformational properties of monosaccharides. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
The Multiple Roles and Therapeutic Potential of Molecular Chaperones in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancer types in men worldwide. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that are widely implicated in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of many cancers. The role of HSPs in PCa is complex and their expression has been linked to the progression and aggressiveness of the tumor. Prominent chaperones, including HSP90 and HSP70, are involved in the folding and trafficking of critical cancer-related proteins. Other members of HSPs, including HSP27 and HSP60, have been considered as promising biomarkers, similar to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), for PCa screening in order to evaluate and monitor the progression or recurrence of the disease. Moreover, expression level of chaperones like clusterin has been shown to correlate directly with the prostate tumor grade. Hence, targeting HSPs in PCa has been suggested as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In the current review, we discuss the functions as well as the role of HSPs in PCa progression and further evaluate the approach of inhibiting HSPs as a cancer treatment strategy.
Neural correlates of top‐down modulation of haptic shape versus roughness perception

Exploring an object's shape by touch also renders information about its surface roughness. It has been suggested that shape and roughness are processed distinctly in the brain, a result based on comparing brain activation when exploring objects that differed in one of these features. To investigate the neural mechanisms of top‐down control on haptic perception of shape and roughness, we presented the same multidimensional objects but varied the relevance of each feature. Specifically, participants explored two objects that varied in shape (oblongness of cuboids) and surface roughness. They either had to compare the shape or the roughness in an alternative‐forced‐choice‐task. Moreover, we examined whether the activation strength of the identified brain regions as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can predict the behavioral performance in the haptic discrimination task. We observed a widespread network of activation for shape and roughness perception comprising bilateral precentral and postcentral gyrus, cerebellum, and insula. Task‐relevance of the object's shape increased activation in the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG/BA 40) and the right precentral gyrus (PreCG/BA 44) suggesting that activation in these areas does not merely reflect stimulus‐driven processes, such as exploring shape, but also entails top‐down controlled processes driven by task‐relevance. Moreover, the strength of the SMG/PreCG activation predicted individual performance in the shape but not in the roughness discrimination task. No activation was found for the reversed contrast (roughness > shape). We conclude that macrogeometric properties, such as shape, can be modulated by top‐down mechanisms whereas roughness, a microgeometric feature, seems to be processed automatically.
Proglacial freshwaters are significant and previously unrecognized sinks of atmospheric CO2

Significance Glacier melt is one of the most dramatic consequences of climate change in high-latitude and high-altitude environments. As meltwaters move across poorly consolidated landscapes, they transport vast quantities of highly reactive comminuted sediments prone to chemical weathering reactions that may consume atmospheric CO2. Using a whole watershed approach in the Canadian High Arctic, combined with additional dissolved CO2 measurements in glacial rivers in Greenland and the Canadian Rockies, we show that certain glacier-fed freshwater ecosystems are significant and previously unrecognized annual CO2 sinks due to chemical weathering. As many of the world’s rivers originate from glacial headwaters, we highlight the potential importance of this process for contemporary regional carbon budgets in rapidly changing high-latitude and high-altitude watersheds. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from freshwater ecosystems are almost universally predicted to increase with climate warming. Glacier-fed rivers and lakes, however, differ critically from those in nonglacierized catchments in that they receive little terrestrial input of organic matter for decomposition and CO2 production, and transport large quantities of easily mobilized comminuted sediments available for carbonate and silicate weathering reactions that can consume atmospheric CO2. We used a whole-watershed approach, integrating concepts from glaciology and limnology, to conclusively show that certain glacier-fed freshwater ecosystems are important and previously overlooked annual CO2 sinks due to the overwhelming influence of these weathering reactions. Using the glacierized Lake Hazen watershed (Nunavut, Canada, 82°N) as a model system, we found that weathering reactions in the glacial rivers actively consumed CO2 up to 42 km downstream of glaciers, and cumulatively transformed the High Arctic’s most voluminous lake into an important CO2 sink. In conjunction with data collected at other proglacial freshwater sites in Greenland and the Canadian Rockies, we suggest that CO2 consumption in proglacial freshwaters due to glacial melt-enhanced weathering is likely a globally relevant phenomenon, with potentially important implications for regional annual carbon budgets in glacierized watersheds.