Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
lncRNA MEG3 modified epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of ovarian cancer cells by sponging miR‐219a‐5p and regulating EGFR

This study was aimed to verify whether there existed any associations between long noncoding RNA MEG3/miR‐219a‐5p/EGFR axis and the development of ovarian cancer (OC). As a whole, we gathered 317 pairs of OC tissues and surgical marginal normal tissues and simultaneously acquired four OC cell lines (ie, A2780, Caov‐3, OVCAR‐3, and SKOV‐3) and human normal ovarian surface epithelial cell line. Moreover, pcDNA3.1‐MEG3, si‐MEG3, miR‐219a‐5p mimic, miR‐219a‐5p inhibitor, pcDNA3.1‐EGFR, and si‐EGFR were, respectively, transfected into the OC cells, and their impacts on viability, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration of OC cells were assessed via conduction of MTT assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry assay, transwell assay, and scratch assay. Ultimately, dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to testify the targeted relationships among maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), miR‐219a‐5p, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR). It was indicated that underexpressed MEG3 and miR‐219a‐5p were significantly associated with unfavorable prognosis of patients with OC when compared with overexpressed MEG3 and miR‐219a‐5p (P < .05). In addition, the OC cells transfected with si‐MEG3 or miR‐219a‐5p inhibitor exhibited stronger viability, proliferation, invasion, and migration than untreated cells (P < .05). Correspondingly, the apoptotic percentage of OC cells was reduced observably under treatments of si‐MEG3 and miR‐219a‐5p inhibitor (P < .05). Moreover, MEG3 exerted modulatory effects on the expression of miR‐219a‐5p (P < .05), and there was a sponging relationship between them (P < .05). Finally, EGFR expression was modified by both MEG3 and miR‐219a‐5p significantly (P < .05), and raising EGFR expression could changeover the impacts of MEG3 and miR‐219a‐5p on the above‐mentioned activity of OC cells (P < .05). Conclusively, MEG3 could serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosis and treatment of OC, considering its involvement with OC etiology via regulation of miR‐219a‐5p/EGFR axis.
Rigidity-tuning conductive elastomer

We introduce a conductive propylene-based elastomer (cPBE) that rapidly and reversibly changes its mechanical rigidity when powered with electrical current. The elastomer is rigid in its natural state, with an elastic (Young’s) modulus of 175.5 MPa, and softens when electrically activated. By embedding the cPBE in an electrically insulating sheet of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), we create a cPBE–PDMS composite that can reversibly change its tensile modulus between 37 and 1.5 MPa. The rigidity change takes ∼6 s and is initiated when a 100 V voltage drop is applied across the two ends of the cPBE film. This magnitude of change in elastic rigidity is similar to that observed in natural skeletal muscle and catch connective tissue. We characterize the tunable load-bearing capability of the cPBE–PDMS composite with a motorized tensile test and deadweight experiment. Lastly, we demonstrate the ability to control the routing of internal forces by embedding several cPBE–PDMS ‘active tendons’ into a soft robotic pneumatic bending actuator. Selectively activating the artificial tendons controls the neutral axis and direction of bending during inflation.
Aerosolized manganese SOD decreases hyperoxic pulmonary injury in primates. II. Morphometric analysis.

Hyperoxia damages lung parenchyma via increased cellular production of reactive oxygen species that exceeds antioxidant defenses. We hypothesized that aerosolized human recombinant manganese superoxide dismutase (rhMnSOD) would augment extracellular antioxidant defenses and attenuate epithelial injury in the lung during hyperoxia in primates. Twenty-four adult male baboons were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated with 100% oxygen for 96 h. The baboons were divided equally into four groups. Oxygen alone and oxygen plus rhMnSOD given at 3 mg . kg-1 . day-1 were compared to assess efficacy of the drug. Subsequently, aerosolized rhMnSOD was given at 1 or 10 mg . kg-1 . day-1 to study dose effects and toxicity. Quantitative morphometry showed protection of alveolar epithelium from hyperoxia by 3 mg . kg-1 . day-1 rhMnSOD (P < 0.05). In addition, interstitial fibroblast volumes were increased in the treatment group (P = 0.06). This effect appeared greater at the two higher doses of the rhMnSOD. The aerosolized drug was localized to the surface of airways and air spaces and macrophages by immunolabeling studies, suggesting efficacy via physicochemical properties that localize it to cell surfaces or by effects on alveolar macrophage function.
The Infant Toddler Activity Card Sort: A Caregiver Report Measure of Children’s Occupational Engagement in Family Activities and Routines

Early intervention (EI) therapy services aim to address family-centered goals to facilitate young children’s development and participation in meaningful life activities. Current methods to evaluate children in EI assess discrete developmental skills but provide little information on the child’s ability to successfully incorporate that skill in everyday life. Furthermore, traditional measures have limited opportunity for parent report, despite parent engagement being a critical component for successful implementation of EI services. A measure that involves parents in the therapeutic process to track family-driven EI goals related to a child’s occupational engagement in meaningful family activities and routines is desperately needed. Using a qualitative design and conventional content analysis, we identified 41 distinct activities of infant–toddlers from a cohort of 23 caregivers. Activity items were matched with photographs and validated with experts in pediatric rehabilitation using the Delphi method. The resulting 40 activity/photograph pairs were used to develop a new measure of pediatric occupational engagement, the Infant Toddler Activity Card Sort (ITACS).
Very Low Crude Protein and Varying Glycine Concentrations in the Diet Affect Growth Performance, Characteristics of Nitrogen Excretion, and the Blood Metabolome of Broiler Chickens.

BACKGROUND The minimum to which dietary crude protein (CP) level for broiler chickens can be reduced without decreasing growth and the glycine equivalent (Glyequi) concentration required are not known. The plasma metabolome might reflect dietary influences on physiological processes. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 low CP levels with 4 Glyequi concentrations on growth and characteristics of nitrogen excretion, and to identify plasma metabolome variations. METHODS Male Ross308 broiler chickens were provided 1 of 12 dietary treatments in 84 metabolism cages (10/cage) from days 7 to 21. Three diets with 163 (CP163), 147 (CP147), and 132 (CP132) g CP/kg were formulated, each containing 12, 15, 18, and 21 g Glyequi/kg. Essential amino acid concentrations were the same in all diets. Animals and feed were weighed on days 7 and 21 to determine average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed ratio (G:F). Excreta were collected from days 18 to 21 to analyze nitrogenous components, and blood was obtained on day 21 to conduct a metabolome analysis. RESULTS Two-factor ANOVA showed significant interaction effects for ADG, G:F, and nitrogen efficiency (P < 0.001). Reduction of CP decreased ADG and G:F, and increased nitrogen efficiency. Glyequi supplementation increased ADG (by 7.9 g/d) and G:F (by 0.07 g/g) at CP132. The ADG (by 2.4 g/d) at CP147 and G:F (by 0.02 g/g) at CP147 and CP163 increased up to 15 g Glyequi/kg. Multivariate statistical analysis showed an influence of Glyequi on plasma acylcarnitine and lysophosphatidylcholine concentrations, and a decrease of plasma phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin concentrations with reduced CP. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a nutrient other than Glyequi limited growth when CP was reduced from CP163 to CP147, and that the response of broiler chickens to Glyequi is dependent on the dietary CP level. Plasma metabolites indicate dietary influences on the physiological state of the animals.
Influence analysis of different design conditions on urban runoff and nonpoint source pollution

Urban waterlogging and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution caused by urbanization have considerably increased, and their control effects are affected by many factors. This study established a distribution model to analyze the influences of different rainfall conditions and rain garden layouts on runoff output and NPS pollution. Simulation results showed that (a) the reduction rates of the runoff and pollution load decreased from 45% to 23% and from 57% to 23% with increasing rainfall duration (1–24 hr). The flow and concentration peaks, total discharge amount and load increased, and the reduction rates of the runoff and pollution load decreased from 47% to 32% and from 60% to 21%, respectively, with increasing recurrence period (1–50 annual). The changes in the rain peak coefficient had minimal reduction effect on water quantity and quality. (b) Under different rain garden layouts, the reduction rates of the runoff and pollution load were 37%–52% and 13%–57%, respectively. The reduction effects of the runoff and pollution load improved, whereas amplitudes decreased with increasing rain garden layouts (0%–4%). (c) Rainfall duration and rain garden proportion greatly influenced the runoff and load reductions, respectively.
Exploring the binding mechanism between methylene blue and ovalbumin using spectroscopic analyses and computational simulations

Abstract The detailed investigation of methylene blue (MB) dye with ovalbumin (OVA) was examined by multispectroscopic and computational techniques. The experimental results of emission spectral studies displayed that the quenching behaviour of OVA with MB dye is due to static quenching mechanism. Isothermal titration calorimetry experimental results suggested that the binding of MB dye became favoured with the aid of a favourable entropy contribution and negative enthalpy. The absorption and circular dichroism spectral experiments showed that the binding of MB dye prompted conformational modifications to the secondary structure of OVA protein. The computational studies have been used to predict the binding region and the stability of MB in OVA protein. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Prescribing patterns in adolescent psychiatric practice: an important role of antipsychotics.

BACKGROUND Many adolescents affected by psychiatric disorders require pharmacological treatment. Knowing which medication is being used is of utmost importance. Our main objective was to gain insight into prescribing patterns at the Department of child and adolescent psychiatry, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka. In addition, we looked for potential differences between adolescents regarding their pharmacotherapy status. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The data from medical charts of 227 adolescents (55% females), age 12-18 years (16.4±1.18) were analysed. All of them were treated as outpatients during one year period (2014/15). Medical charts were obtained from the computerized archive system of Clinical Hospital Centre. Prescribed drug patterns were taken into account if patients have been taking medication for at least one month. RESULTS Most of the patients, 162 (71.4%), were treated with psychiatric medication. In the pharmacologically treated group, adolescents were older (t=-4.678; p<0.001), predominately male (χ2=5.175, p=0.023) and hospitalized (χ2=20.612, p<0.0001). Accordingly, male (OR=2.09, P<0.05) and hospitalized (OR=15.32, P<0.001) adolescents were more disposed to be medicated. Psychotic disorder was the most commonly diagnosed disorder (51 patients). There were 454 different prescribing patterns, mostly prescribed antipsychotics, 36.6% of all prescriptions; followed by 31.5% anxiolytics' and 23.7% antidepressants' prescriptions. However, number of patients receiving antipsychotics, anxiolytics and antidepressants was quite similar (103: 110: 99). The highest number of patients was treated with sertraline (58), followed by those treated with risperidone (48). Majority of the patients (104/227) were treated with polytherapy. CONCLUSION Prescribing psychiatric pharmacotherapy for adolescents is a common clinical practice. Adolescents that were prescribed pharmacotherapy were significantly older; hospitalized and male adolescents were more prone to be medicated. Antipsychotics were most frequently prescribed drugs. The prescribing patterns are generally consistent with international trends and guidelines; however caution regarding high proportion of polytherapy is necessary.
Microspheres of essential oil in polylactic acid and poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices and their blends

Abstract This study is focussed on micro-encapsulation of essential oils in polylactic acid (PLA) and a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix as well as blends of the same. Microspheres were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique and characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The encapsulation efficiencies and release profiles of the essential oils were studied by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and head-space solid-phase microextraction GC-MS, respectively. Furthermore, the microspheres were tested for antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. The results showed that the microspheres compositions (PLA/PMMA ratio) have significant effect on their characteristics. The process adopted for preparing the microspheres promoted formation of spherical particles at the sizes of 1.5–9.5 µm. The highest encapsulation efficiency of the prepared microspheres was observed in systems consisting of linalool (81.10 ± 10.0 wt. % for PLA system and 76.0 ± 3.3 wt. % for PMMA system). Confirmation was also made that the release rate of the microspheres was affected by the size of the same.
Sheep recognize familiar and unfamiliar human faces from two-dimensional images

One of the most important human social skills is the ability to recognize faces. Humans recognize familiar faces easily, and can learn to identify unfamiliar faces from repeatedly presented images. Sheep are social animals that can recognize other sheep as well as familiar humans. Little is known, however, about their holistic face-processing abilities. In this study, we trained eight sheep (Ovis aries) to recognize the faces of four celebrities from photographic portraits displayed on computer screens. After training, the sheep chose the ‘learned-familiar’ faces rather than the unfamiliar faces significantly above chance. We then tested whether the sheep could recognize the four celebrity faces if they were presented in different perspectives. This ability has previously been shown only in humans. Sheep successfully recognized the four celebrity faces from tilted images. Interestingly, there was a drop in performance with the tilted images (from 79.22 ± 7.5% to 66.5 ± 4.1%) of a magnitude similar to that seen when humans perform this task. Finally, we asked whether sheep could recognize a very familiar handler from photographs. Sheep identified the handler in 71.8 ± 2.3% of the trials without pretraining. Together these data show that sheep have advanced face-recognition abilities, comparable with those of humans and non-human primates.
Rapid Sequestration of Ecosystem Carbon in 30-year Reforestation with Mixed Species in Dry Hot Valley of the Jinsha River

Reforestation plays an important role in the carbon cycle and climate change. However, knowledge of ecosystem carbon sequestration through reforestation with mixed species is limited. Especially in dry hot valley of the Jinsha River, no studies cover total ecosystem carbon sequestration level in mature mixed plantations for a limited area of mixed plantations and difficulty in the sampling of plant roots and deep soil. In this study, carbon sequestration of seven mixed plantations of different ages in dry hot valley of the Jinsha River was investigated with analogous sites method. The results are as follows: 1) Deep soil organic carbon (SOC) storage significantly increased with stand age (p = 0.025), possibly due to fine root exudates and dissolved organic carbon transportation into deep soil and retention. 2) Total biomass carbon storage in the 30-year-old mixed plantation was 77.78 t C ha−1, 54 times reference wasteland and 9 times reference natural recovery shrub-grassland. However, total biomass carbon storage of 30-year-old mixed plantation was insignificantly lower than that of reference natural forest (p = 0.429). After 30 years of reforestation, plantation biomass carbon storage recovered to reference level, and its sequestration rate was 2.54 t C ha−1 yr−1. 3) The total ecosystem carbon storage of 30-year-old mixed plantation was 185.50 t C ha−1, 2.38 times reference wasteland, 2.29 times reference natural recovery shrub grassland, and 29% lower than reference natural forest. It indicated that niche complementary, good stand structure, and characteristics of dominant species Leucaena leucocephala in mixed plantations facilitate more rapid carbon sequestration, especially biomass carbon in the dry hot valley.
Classification of Fatigued and Drunk Driving Based on Decision Tree Methods: A Simulator Study

It is a commonly known fact that both alcohol and fatigue impair driving performance. Therefore, the identification of fatigue and drinking status is very important. In this study, each of the 22 participants finished five driving tests in total. The control condition, serving as the benchmark in the five driving tests, refers to alert driving. The other four test conditions include driving with three blood alcohol content (BAC) levels (0.02%, 0.05%, and 0.08%) and driving in a fatigued state. The driving scenario included straight and curved roads. The straight roads connected the curved ones with radii of 200 m, 500 m, and 800 m with two turning directions (left and right). Driving performance indicators such as the average and standard deviation of longitudinal speed and lane position were selected to identify drunk driving and fatigued driving. In the process of identification, road geometry (straight segments, radius, and direction of curves) was also taken into account. Alert vs. abnormal and fatigued vs. drunk driving with various BAC levels were analyzed separately using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) model, and the significance of the variables on the binary response variable was determined. The results showed that the decision tree could be used to distinguish normal driving from abnormal driving, fatigued driving, and drunk driving based on the indexes of vehicle speed and lane position at curves with different radii. The overall accuracy of classification of “alert” and “abnormal” driving was 90.9%, and that of “fatigued” and “drunk” driving was 94.4%. The accuracy was relatively low in identifying different BAC degrees. This experiment is designed to provide a reference for detecting dangerous driving states.
A Comparison Study of Marginal and Internal Fit Assessment Methods for Fixed Dental Prostheses

Numerous studies have previously evaluated the marginal and internal fit of fixed prostheses; however, few reports have performed an objective comparison of the various methods used for their assessment. The purpose of this study was to compare five marginal and internal fit assessment methods for fixed prostheses. A specially designed sample was used to measure the marginal and internal fit of the prosthesis according to the cross-sectional method (CSM), silicone replica technique (SRT), triple scan method (TSM), micro-computed tomography (MCT), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The five methods showed significant differences in the four regions that were assessed (p < 0.001). The marginal, axial, angle, and occlusal regions showed low mean values: CSM (23.2 µm), TSM (56.3 µm), MCT (84.3 µm), and MCT (102.6 µm), respectively. The marginal fit for each method was in the range of 23.2–83.4 µm and internal fit (axial, angle, and occlusal) ranged from 44.8–95.9 µm, 84.3–128.6 µm, and 102.6–140.5 µm, respectively. The marginal and internal fit showed significant differences depending on the method. Even if the assessment values of the marginal and internal fit are found to be in the allowable clinical range, the differences in the values according to the method should be considered.
Understanding the Increase in Life Expectancy in Hong Kong: Contributions of Changes in Age- and Cause-Specific Mortality

To assess the mechanism responsible for the improvement in life expectancy in Hong Kong over the past several decades, Arriaga’s decomposition method was applied to quantify the influence of the age structure and the leading causes of death on the increase in life expectancy in Hong Kong from 1986 to 2015. Our results showed that, during the observed period, the major contribution to the improvement in life expectancy in Hong Kong was attributable to the older population for both males and females. Contributions of malignant neoplasms in the period of 1986–1995, 1996–2005 and 2006–2015 were 0.613, 0.279 and 0.887 years in males and 0.391, 0.312 and 0.226 years in females, respectively. For circulatory diseases, the corresponding figures were 1.452, 0.202 and 0.832 years in males and 0.675, 0.192 and 1.069 years in females, with the largest contribution also shifting to older ages. However, these positive contributions were partly offset by the negative contribution of pneumonia, especially among those at advanced ages. Furthermore, although the impact was limited, attention should also be paid to the prevalence of some chronic diseases among the younger age groups in recent years.
Emerging roles for Interleukin-11 in disease

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-11 belongs to the IL-6 family of cytokines, discovered over 30 years ago. While early studies focused on the ability of IL-11 to stimulate megakaryocytopoiesis, the importance of this cytokine to inflammatory disease and cancers is only just beginning to be uncovered. This review outlines recent advances in our understanding of IL-11 biology, and highlights the development of novel therapeutics with the potential for clinical targeting of signaling by this cytokine in multiple diseases.
Role of clinical neuropsychology in deep brain stimulation: Review of the literature and considerations for clinicians

ABSTRACT Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an effective surgical therapy for several neurological movement disorders. The clinical neuropsychologist has a well-established role in the neuropsychological evaluation and selection of surgical candidates. In this article, we argue that the clinical neuropsychologist’s role is much broader, when considered in relation to applied psychologists’ core competencies. We consider the role of the clinical neuropsychologist in DBS in relation to: assessment, formulation, evaluation and research, intervention or implementation, and communication. For each competence the relevant evidence-base was reviewed. Clinical neuropsychology has a vital role in presurgical assessment of cognitive functioning and psychological, and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Formulation is central to the selection of surgical candidates and crucial to intervention planning. Clinical neuropsychology has a well-established role in postsurgical assessment of cognitive functioning and psychological, emotional, and behavioral outcomes, which is fundamental to evaluation on an individual and service level. The unique contribution clinical neuropsychology makes to pre- and postsurgical interventions is also highlighted. Finally, we discuss how clinical neuropsychology can promote clear and effective communication with patients and between professionals.