Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Circadian Clock Gene Expression Assessments in Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Infants: A Pilot Study

Background: Exposure to intrauterine obesity can disrupt clock gene rhythmicity in animal models. The aim of this pilot study was to determine if maternal obesity alters rhythmic expression of core clock in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cords of human infants born to mothers with obesity (Ob-MSC) vs. normal weight (NW-MSC). Methods: We compared in vitro rhythmic expression patterns of core clock (BMAL1, CLOCK, PER2) and clock-output (NR1D1), components in undifferentiated Ob-MSCs (n = 3) vs. NW-MSCs (n = 3). MSCs were harvested every 2 h, following a dexamethasone shock, for 30 h. Adipogenesis or myogenesis was induced in vitro and markers of adipogenesis and fat storage were assessed, respectively. Results: We detected significant rhythmicity in expression patterns of BMAL1, PER2, and NR1D1 at the group level in Ob- and NW-MSCs (p < 0.05). PER2 oscillatory amplitude was 3-fold higher in Ob-MSCs vs. NW-MSCs (p < 0.006). During adipogenesis, Ob-MSCs had higher PPARγ protein content (p = 0.04) vs. NW-MSC. During myogenesis, Ob-MSCs had higher saturated triacylglycerols (p = 0.04) vs. NW-MSC. Conclusion: Rhythmic expressions of BMAL1, PER2, and NR1D1 are detectable in undifferentiated MSCs. Higher PER2 oscillatory amplitude was paralleled by higher markers of fat storage during differentiation in Ob-MSCs vs. NW-MSCs, and supports that the core clock and cellular metabolism may be linked in infant MSCs.
Changes in Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Jackfruit) Pulp during In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

An in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model was applied to investigate the effect of digestion on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (jackfruit) pulp. The total phenol content (TPC) was determined using Folin–Ciocalteu method, and the antioxidant activities were evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Phenolic compounds were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization, followed by quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The results showed that TPC was significantly higher after gastric digestion. Thirty phenolic compounds (hydroxybenzoic acids and derivatives, hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives, and flavonoids) were identified. The antioxidant activities of the digested samples varied with the TPC, and there was a correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC. The present study implies that gastrointestinal digestion may improve TPC and increase the amount of free phenolic compounds, mainly related to changes in pH value and digestive enzymes.
A comparison of the effects of web-based vocabulary instruction vs. the conventional method on EFL learners’ level of L2 lexical knowledge

Web-based training is a contemporary approach acknowledged as a proficient pedagogical strategy for imparting knowledge on L2 lexical items. The objective of this study was to investigate if the utilisation of web-based activities for teaching vocabulary items yields distinct outcomes in terms of acquisition and retention of L2 lexical items, as opposed to conventional procedures. Sixty university students at an intermediate level of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) were purposefully chosen for this study. These participants were then divided into two separate groups. The participants in the experimental group received instruction on the target vocabulary items in a computer-supported classroom. In this setting, they could practice the lexical items interactively through web-based activities. On the other hand, the control group was given the exact target words using traditional instruction methods to maintain consistency. However, students in the control group did not have the opportunity to engage with the dynamic and active nature of the web-based instructional environment. The findings of the study, which involved the administration of the Vocabulary Levels Test and subsequent analysis utilising tests and Analysis of Variance, revealed that English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners saw more improvement in their acquisition of second language (L2) lexical items when taught through web-based activities compared to traditional teaching methods. The implications of the data suggest that L2 teachers can enhance their teaching method by including web-based and online activities to educate students on how to acquire new vocabulary items effectively.
Climatic gradients in woody plant species richness: towards an explanation based on an analysis of southern Africa's woody flora

The distribution of southern Africa's woody flora (N=1372 species) describes a west-to-east pattern of increasing species richness, being lowest in arid to semi- arid areas and highest in mesic to humid areas. Climate accounts for 77.8% (R2; P<O.OOO1) of the variation: species richness is greatest where the amount and duration of energy is optimized (not too much, not too little) and moisture maximized, and decreases as the amount or dura- tion of energy moves above or below optimal conditions, or as moisture decreases. Given the perpetual and neces- sary relationship between climate and plant photosynthe- sis, climate provides a first-order, albeit partial, explana- tion for the persistence of pattern (especially latitudinal and elevational gradients) in the distribution of woody plant species richness over space and time.
The pitfalls or gaps in monitoring and evaluation tools during Coronavirus disease 2019 era in South African municipalities

The South African municipalities have continued to demonstrate weaknesses or inadequacies in monitoring and evaluation (M&E). A possible barrier in South African municipalities is a lack of M&E expertise. While M&E can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of a programme, some potential pitfalls and gaps were discovered during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A case study design was employed to conduct in-depth and detailed examination within two metropolitan municipalities in the Eastern Cape. A mixed methods approach was adopted in a convergent manner for data collection and analysis. In-depth interviews were utilised to collect data from 13 senior municipal managers at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). A total of 191 questionnaires were despatched to municipal employees and 186 were returned, giving a 97% response rate. The findings reflect the weaknesses of M&E policies in the municipalities and paints a picture of M&E not being prioritised in the municipality. The findings also reflect the current situation at the municipalities concerned, which is that there are pitfalls and gaps when it comes to evaluation measures. Thus, the study concludes that accountability for financial and performance management is non-existent. This study attempts to make a valuable contribution by providing technical assistance, capacity building to ensure that municipalities have effective M&E systems in place to monitor and evaluate service delivery and improve the lives of communities.
Deep Learning-Based ECG Analysis for Myocardial Infarction Detection

In the field of cardiovascular disease diagnosis, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals are used to identify conditions like arrhythmia and myocardial infarction (MI). These signals reflect the electrical activity of the heart to help cardiologists diagnose cardiac disorders. However, due to the limited amplitude and duration of the ECG signals, visual interpretation is challenging. Therefore, machine learning models have become valuable for automatically detecting MI using ECG data. In this paper, we aim to develop an automatic technique for classifying MI using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) networks. The data is first processed to extract heartbeats segments, which are then used to train the CNN and GRU models to recognize MI patterns. Our trained models are applied to the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) diagnostic ECG database, achieving an average accuracy of 75% and a sensitivity of 80% for MI diagnosis. This demonstrates the potential of using deep learning techniques to improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases
Seasonal climate summary southern hemisphere (summer 2010-2011): second-wettest Australian summer on record and one of the strongest La Niña events on record

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) Strong positive values of the Troup Southern Oscillation Index1 (SOI) which began in winter 2010 continued to persist throughout summer 2010–2011. Monthly values were +27.1 (December), +19.9 (January) and +22.3 (February). The December SOI value was the highest on record for any December and the highest for any month since November 1973 (+31.6). The February value was also a record for any February since records began in 1876 while the average August to December SOI (+21.1) was only exceeded once by the La Niña of 1917–1918 (+24.2) with the La Niña of 1975–1976 ranking third (+18.8). The strong SOI values are representative of the strong La Niña event in the Pacific which developed in autumn 2010 (Ganter 2011). Figure 1 shows the monthly SOI from January 2007 to February 2011, together with a five-month weighted moving average. Composite monthly ENSO index A composite monthly ENSO index, calculated as the standardised amplitude of the first principal component2 of monthly Darwin and Tahiti MSLP3 and monthly NINO3, NINO3.4 and NINO4 sea surface temperatures4 (SSTs) (Kuleshov et al. 2008), continued a sequence of negative values which began in winter 2010 (Fig. 2). Figure 2 shows all of the three monthly values in the season exceeded one standard deviation as is typically the case for moderate or strong positive phases of the Southern Oscillation and La Niña states. The monthly values for this index were −1.94 (December), −1.67 (January) and −1.63 (February). All of the summer 2010–2011 values exceeded one standard deviation with each monthly value ranking in the lowest five values on record (since 1950) for each respective month.
Drivers of intangible assets accumulation as a prerequisite for Industry 4.0

Industrial revolutions are causing unprecedented changes in the country’s economy. These changes are driven by new technologies and innovations. This is primarily based on the growing importance of intangible assets. These are the main characteristics of the ongoing industrial revolution. In the absence of a precise definition and indicators quantifying Industry 4.0, intangible assets are presumed to be the common basis of determinants of Industry 4.0. This paper presents the theoretical basis for determining the Industrial Revolution. Comprehensively describes the determinants of the accumulation of intangible assets. Implementing a panel regression technique with random effects shows the results. We identify the factors unlocking the accumulation of intangible assets. This is primarily in the area of government direct and indirect support for investment in R&D and other innovation assets. Also, it is about creating the environment to encourage private investment in innovation assets, intangible ICT assets and economic competencies.
Experience, Prevalence, and Severity of Dental Caries in Mexican Preschool and School-Aged Children

Objective Dental caries in Mexico continues to be a public health problem, indicated by it is high prevalence and incidence in children. This disease is associated with pain in preschool and school children, with large-scale consequences for the individual, society, and health systems. The objective of the present study was to determine the experience (mean of caries indices), prevalence, and severity of caries in children 2-12 years of age who sought dental care at a dental school in Mexico. Material and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 826 clinical records of patients ages 2-12 years. The dependent variable was caries, in terms of experience (mean primary teeth (dmft) and permanent teeth (DMFT) indices), prevalence (dmft and DMFT greater than 0), and severity (cutoffs of caries indices at various levels). The independent variables were age and sex. The data were analyzed in Stata 14 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas). Results The average age was 7.2±2.3; 52.4% were boys. In the primary dentition, the caries experience (mean dmft) was 3.01±3.30, the prevalence of caries was 65.8%, and the severity dmft>3=37.3% and dmft>6=15.6%. In the permanent dentition, the caries experience (mean DMFT) was 0.99±1.88, the prevalence of caries was 31.5%, and the severity DMFT>3=12.5% and DMFT>6=1.6%. The percentage of caries-free children in both dentitions was 26.1% (n=216/826). The experience, prevalence, and severity of caries were statistically different by age (p<0.001). Only in the severity of dmft>3 were differences observed across sex (p<0.05). Among children with mixed dentition, primary teeth were more affected than permanent teeth (2.46±2.87 vs 0.88±1.61; p<0.0001). Conclusions About seven out of 10 children were affected by cavities in either or both dentitions. It was observed that age was positively associated with dental caries, equally affecting girls and boys. In this sample, the primary dentition was impacted more than the permanent dentition. Despite being preventable, dental caries continues to be a health problem in children.
Novel HER-2 Targeted Therapies in Breast Cancer

Simple Summary HER-2-targeting drugs changed the paradigm of HER-2-positive breast cancer, improving survival rates of an aggressive and lethal disease. Recently, a plethora of new drugs have been approved in different settings, leading to a continuous change in the treatment algorithm of HER-2-positive breast cancer. This current review aims to summarize all the new approved therapeutic options and highlight the new therapeutic options under development. Abstract Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER-2)-positive breast cancer represents 15–20% of all breast cancer subtypes and has an aggressive biological behavior with worse prognosis. The development of HER-2-targeted therapies has changed the disease’s course, having a direct impact on survival rates and quality of life. Drug development of HER-2-targeting therapies is a prolific field, with numerous new therapeutic strategies showing survival benefits and gaining regulatory approval in recent years. Furthermore, the acknowledgement of the survival impact of HER-2-directed therapies on HER-2-low breast cancer has contributed even more to advances in the field. The present review aims to summarize the newly approved therapeutic strategies for HER-2-positive breast cancer and review the new and exploratory HER-2-targeted therapies currently under development.
Impact of ENSO on seasonal variations of Kelvin Waves and mixed Rossby-Gravity Waves

Characteristics of atmospheric equatorial Kelvin waves and mixed Rossby-Gravity (MRG) waves as well as their relationship with tropical convective activity associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) were analyzed. Kelvin waves and MRG waves were identified by using a Space-Time Spectral Analysis (STSA) technique, where the differences in the strength of both waves were quantified by taking the wave spectrum differences for each ENSO phase. Our result showed that Kelvin wave activity is stronger during an El Nino years, whereas the MRG wave activity is stronger during the La Nina years. Seasonal variations of Kelvin wave activity occurs predominantly in MAM over the central to the east Pacific in the El Nino years, while the strongest seasonal variation of MRG wave activity occus in MAM and SON over the northern and southern Pacific during La Nina years. The local variation of Kelvin wave and MRG wave activities are found to be controlled by variation in lower level atmospheric convection induced by sea surface temperature in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
The Clinical Impact of the Extension of Acute Type A Aortic Surgery on Long-Term Outcomes: Should We Tend to Be Conservative?

Background and Objectives: Despite advances in surgical techniques, industry adjuncts, and cerebral perfusion techniques, the in-hospital mortality rate of type A acute dissection (TAAD) remains at 15–30%. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different extents of aortic resection on survival and quality of life (QoL) after long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational trial was performed, including 165 patients operated upon for TAAD. Patients were divided into two groups according to the extent of their aortic repair: the first group comprised patients who had ascending aorta replacement and the second included patients who had hemiarch or total arch replacement. The groups were compared with regard to their baseline characteristics, operative characteristics, survival, complications, and QoL during nine years of follow-up. Results: The mean follow-up time was 75.6 months (1–108 months). The mean survival in the ascending aorta repair group was 89.651 (81.242–98.061) months and was 54.801 (40.053–69.548) months in the hemiarch and arch group; the difference between the groups was significant (log-rank p < 0.001). The rate of new postoperative neurological deficits was statistically higher in the hemiarch and arch group (17.5% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.045), the most common being stroke, and was also more frequent in the hemiarch and arch group than in the ascending aorta group (with statistical significance (15.7% vs. 6.5%)). The mean SF-12 physical score from the QoL questionnaire was higher in the ascending aorta replacement group than in the hemiarch and arch group (50.1 ± 7.3 vs. 44.0 ± 11.9, p = 0.017). Additionally, the mean SF-12 mental score was higher in the ascending aorta replacement group (52.3 ± 7.3 vs. 47.1 ± 12.8, p = 0.032). Conclusions: A more aggressive approach involving aortic arch repair means a lower survival rate and lesser quality of life after long-term follow-up in comparison with the replacement of the ascending aorta. If clinically applicable, a more defensive strategy may be considered.
Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR) and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) Levels Are Significantly Associated with Endothelial Injury Indices in Adult Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA) and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) represent life-threatening syndromes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In both conditions, endothelial dysfunction is a common denominator, and development of relevant biomarkers is of high importance for both diagnosis and prognosis. Despite the fact that soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) have been determined as endothelial injury indices in various clinical settings, their role in HSCT-related complications remains unexplored. In this context, we used immunoenzymatic methods to measure suPAR and GDF-15 levels in HSCT-TMA, acute and/or chronic GVHD, control HSCT recipients, and apparently healthy individuals of similar age and gender. We found considerably greater SuPAR and GDF-15 levels in HSCT-TMA and GVHD patients compared to allo-HSCT and healthy patients. Both GDF-15 and suPAR concentrations were linked to EASIX at day 100 and last follow-up. SuPAR was associated with creatinine and platelets at day 100 and last follow-up, while GDF-15 was associated only with platelets, suggesting that laboratory values do not drive EASIX. SuPAR, but not GDF-15, was related to soluble C5b-9 levels, a sign of increased HSCT-TMA risk. Our study shows for the first time that suPAR and GDF-15 indicate endothelial damage in allo-HSCT recipients. Rigorous validation of these biomarkers in many cohorts may provide utility for their usefulness in identifying and stratifying allo-HSCT recipients with endothelial cell impairment.
Letermovir Rescue Therapy in Kidney Transplant Recipients with Refractory/Resistant CMV Disease

(1) Background: CMV infections remain a problem after kidney transplantation, particularly if patients are refractory or resistant (r/r) to treatment with valganciclovir (VGCV) or ganciclovir (GCV). (2) Methods: In a single-center retrospective study, kidney transplant recipients (KTR) receiving letermovir (LTV) as rescue therapy for VGCV-/GCV-r/r CMV disease were analyzed regarding CMV history, immunosuppression, and outcomes. (3) Results: Of 201 KTR treated for CMV between 2017 and 2022, 8 patients received LTV following treatment failure with VGCV/GCV. All patients received CMV prophylaxis with VGCV according to the center’s protocol, and 7/8 patients had a high-risk (D+/R−) CMV constellation. In seven of eight cases, rising CMV levels occurred during prophylaxis. In seven of eight patients, a mutation in UL97 associated with a decreased response to VGCV/GCV was detected. In four of eight patients, LTV resulted in CMV clearance after 24 ± 10 weeks (16–39 weeks), two of eight patients stabilized at viral loads <2000 cop/mL (6–20 weeks), and two of eight patients developed LTV resistance (range 8–10 weeks). (4) Conclusion: LTV, which is currently evaluated for CMV prophylaxis in kidney transplantation, also shows promising results for the treatment of patients with VGCV/GCV resistance despite the risk of developing LTV resistance. Additional studies are needed to further define its role in the treatment of patients with CMV resistance.
Re-Arranging the Puzzle between the Amyloid-Beta and Tau Pathology: An APP-Centric Approach

After several years of research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it is still unclear how amyloid-beta (Aβ) and Tau, two key hallmarks of the disease, mediate the neuropathogenic events that lead to AD. Current data challenge the “Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis” that has prevailed in the field of AD, stating that Aβ precedes and triggers Tau pathology that will eventually become the toxic entity in the progression of the disease. This perspective also led the field of therapeutic approaches towards the development of strategies that target Aβ or Tau. In the present review, we discuss recent literature regarding the neurotoxic role of both Aβ and Tau in AD, as well as their physiological function in the healthy brain. Consequently, we present studies suggesting that Aβ and Tau act independently of each other in mediating neurotoxicity in AD, thereafter, re-evaluating the “Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis” that places Tau pathology downstream of Aβ. More recent studies have confirmed that both Aβ and Tau could propagate the disease and induce synaptic and memory impairments via the amyloid precursor protein (APP). This finding is not only interesting from a mechanistic point of view since it provides better insights into the AD pathogenesis but also from a therapeutic point of view since it renders APP a common downstream effector for both Aβ and Tau. Subsequently, therapeutic strategies that act on APP might provide a more viable and physiologically relevant approach for targeting AD.