Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Landscape Analysis of Matrix Metalloproteinases Unveils Key Prognostic Markers for Patients With Breast Cancer

Breast cancer (BRCA) is the most common cancer in the world, of which incidence rate and mortality are the highest in women. Being responsible for the remodeling and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been regarded as one of the most important protease family related to tumorigenesis. It has been demonstrated that MMPs play crucial roles in some tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the potential roles of MMPs in tumorigenesis and progression of BRCA and its subtype remain elusive. Herein, we conducted a systematic study on MMPs via a series of database-based retrospective analysis, including TCGA, R Studio, GEPIA, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, cBioPortal, STRING, GeneMANIA and TIMER. As a result, many MMP family members were differentially expressed in patients with BRCA, e.g., the expressions of MMP1, MMP9, MMP11 and MMP13 were up-regulated, whereas the expression levels of MMP19 and MMP28 were down-regulated. MMP9, MMP12, MMP15 and MMP27 were significantly correlated with the clinical stages of BRCA, implying their important roles in the occurrence and development of BRCA. In addition, the survival analysis indicated that different expression pattern of MMPs exhibited distinct outcomes in patient with BRCA, e.g., patients with high expression of MMP2, MMP8, MMP16, MMP17, MMP19, MMP20, MMP21, MMP24, MMP25, MMP26 and MMP27 had a prolonged survival time, while the others (MMP1, MMP7, MMP9, MMP12 and MMP15) exhibited poor prognosis. Subsequent functional and network analysis revealed MMPs were mainly correlated with parathyroid hormone synthesis and secretion pathway, collagen metabolism, and their effect on the activities of serine hydrolase, serine peptidase and aminopeptidase. Notably, our analysis showed that the expression of MMPs was significantly correlated with the infiltration of various immune cells in BRCA, including CD8+T cells, CD4+T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, B cells, and dendritic cells, suggesting the close correlations between MMPs and immune functions. In short, our study disclosed MMPs play multiple biological roles in the development of BRCA, MMP1 and MMP9 might be used as independent prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for diagnosis and treatment for patients with BRCA.
Relational Agency of University Teachers of Chinese as a Second Language: A Personal Network Perspective

Relational agency is pivotal for understanding how language teachers seek and utilize relational resources in different contexts and grow to be agents of change amid various educational challenges. This study explored how three university teachers of Chinese as a second language (CSL) enacted their relational agency to enhance their research capacity and sustain their professional development. Data on their personal network development was collected through concentric circle interviews, life-history interviews and written reflections over three months. Thematic analysis was adopted for iterative coding and interpretation of the data. The findings revealed that teachers’ personal networks provided them with value guidance, emotional support and academic support, which exerted differential levels of impact on them to make agentic choices and actions. The study suggests that personal network analysis may serve as a suitable theoretical lens to achieve a multi-layered understanding of relational agency. The study also calls for more efforts to create learning opportunities and spaces in the relational context for teachers to build their career as agentic academics in language teacher education and development programs.
Fiber Length Optimization of Ring Cavity Multi-Wavelength Brillouin Fiber Laser Utilizing Fiber Bragg Grating

In this paper, we experimentally investigated the performance of ring cavity multi-wavelength Brillouin fiber laser utilizing fiber Bragg grating which operated in the C-band wavelength region. The combination of stimulated Brillouin scattering and selective wavelengths gave a new invention in the optical fiber communication. Five different lengths of single mode fiber are used in order to get the best gain medium for stimulated Brillouin scattering effect. Up to 33 of Brillouin Stokes signals and 31 of anti-Stokes signals were obtained when 10 km fiber length was used in the laser system. The average value optical signal to noise ratio of 15 dB has been achieved. The broadening bandwidth of Brillouin Stokes signals also occurred at the center wavelength of 1550 nm based on the 3 dB bandwidth of 5 nm fiber Bragg grating.
Neural Circuits Underlying Behavioral Flexibility: Insights From Drosophila

Behavioral flexibility is critical to survival. Animals must adapt their behavioral responses based on changes in the environmental context, internal state, or experience. Studies in Drosophila melanogaster have provided insight into the neural circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral flexibility. Here we discuss how Drosophila behavior is modulated by internal and behavioral state, environmental context, and learning. We describe general principles of neural circuit organization and modulation that underlie behavioral flexibility, principles that are likely to extend to other species.
Developmental Trend of Subjective Well-Being of Weibo Users During COVID-19: Online Text Analysis Based on Machine Learning Method

Currently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic experienced by the international community has increased the usage frequency of borderless, highly personalized social media platforms of all age groups. Analyzing and modeling texts sent through social media online can reveal the characteristics of the psychological dynamic state and living conditions of social media users during the pandemic more extensively and comprehensively. This study selects the Sina Weibo platform, which is highly popular in China and analyzes the subjective well-being (SWB) of Weibo users during the COVID-19 pandemic in combination with the machine learning classification algorithm. The study first invokes the SWB classification model to classify the SWB level of original texts released by 1,322 Weibo active users during the COVID-19 pandemic and then combines the latent growth curve model (LGCM) and the latent growth mixture model (LGMM) to investigate the developmental trend and heterogeneity characteristics of the SWB of Weibo users after the COVID-19 outbreak. The results present a downward trend and then an upward trend of the SWB of Weibo users during the pandemic as a whole. There was a significant correlation between the initial state and the development rate of the SWB after the COVID-19 outbreak (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). LGMM results show that there were two heterogeneous classes of the SWB after the COVID-19 outbreak, and the development rate of the SWB of the two classes was significantly different. The larger class (normal growth group; n = 1,229, 93.7%) showed a slow growth, while the smaller class (high growth group; n = 93, 6.3%) showed a rapid growth. Furthermore, the slope means across the two classes were significantly different (p < 0.001). Therefore, the individuals with a higher growth rate of SWB exhibited stronger adaptability to the changes in their living environments. These results could help to formulate effective interventions on the mental health level of the public after the public health emergency outbreak.
Clinical Relevance of Absolute BK Polyoma Viral Load Kinetics in Patients With Biopsy Proven BK Polyomavirus Associated Nephropathy

Introduction: The absolute BK viral load is an important diagnostic surrogate for BK polyomavirus associated nephropathy (PyVAN) after renal transplant (KTX) and serial assessment of BK viremia is recommended. However, there is no data indicating which particular viral load change, i.e., absolute vs. relative viral load changes (copies/ml; percentage of the preceding viremia) is associated with worse renal graft outcomes. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study of 91 biopsy proven PyVAN, we analyzed the interplay of exposure time, absolute and relative viral load kinetics, baseline risk, and treatment strategies as risk factors for graft loss after 2 years using a multivariable Poisson-model. Results: We compared two major treatment strategies: standardized immunosuppression (IS) reduction (n = 53) and leflunomide (n = 30). The median viral load at the index biopsy was 2.15E+04 copies/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 1.70E+03–1.77E+05) and median peak viremia was 3.6E+04 copies/ml (IQR 2.7E+03–3.3E+05). Treatment strategies and IS-levels were not related to graft loss. After correction for baseline viral load and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), absolute viral load decrease/unit remained an independent risk factor for graft loss [incidence rate ratios [IRR] = 0.77, (95% CI 0.61–0.96), p = 0.02]. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the prognostic importance of absolute BK viremia kinetics as a dynamic parameter indicating short-term graft survival independently of other established risk factors.
Acute Gravitational Stress Selectively Impairs Dynamic Cerebrovascular Reactivity in the Anterior Circulation Independent of Changes to the Central Respiratory Chemoreflex

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to changes in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) is an important mechanism that maintains CO2 or pH homeostasis in the brain. To what extent this is influenced by gravitational stress and corresponding implications for the regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) remain unclear. The present study examined the onset responses of pulmonary ventilation (V̇E) and anterior middle (MCA) and posterior (PCA) cerebral artery mean blood velocity (Vmean) responses to acute hypercapnia (5% CO2) to infer dynamic changes in the central respiratory chemoreflex and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), in supine and 50° head-up tilt (HUT) positions. Each onset response was evaluated using a single-exponential regression model consisting of the response time latency [CO2-response delay (t0)] and time constant (τ). Onset response of V̇E and PCA Vmean to changes in CO2 was unchanged during 50° HUT compared with supine (τ: V̇E, p = 0.707; PCA Vmean, p = 0.071 vs. supine) but the MCA Vmean onset response was faster during supine than during 50° HUT (τ: p = 0.003 vs. supine). These data indicate that gravitational stress selectively impaired dynamic CVR in the anterior cerebral circulation, whereas the posterior circulation was preserved, independent of any changes to the central respiratory chemoreflex. Collectively, our findings highlight the regional heterogeneity underlying CBF regulation that may have translational implications for the microgravity (and hypercapnia) associated with deep-space flight notwithstanding terrestrial orthostatic diseases that have been linked to accelerated cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.
To New Beginnings: Riboproteogenomics Discovery of N-Terminal Proteoforms in Arabidopsis Thaliana

Alternative translation initiation is a widespread event in biology that can shape multiple protein forms or proteoforms from a single gene. However, the respective contribution of alternative translation to protein complexity remains largely enigmatic. By complementary ribosome profiling and N-terminal proteomics (i.e., riboproteogenomics), we provide clear-cut evidence for ~90 N-terminal proteoform pairs shaped by (alternative) translation initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Next to several cases additionally confirmed by directed mutagenesis, identified alternative protein N-termini follow the enzymatic rules of co-translational N-terminal protein acetylation and initiator methionine removal. In contrast to other eukaryotic models, N-terminal acetylation in plants cannot generally be considered as a proxy of translation initiation because of its posttranslational occurrence on mature proteolytic neo-termini (N-termini) localized in the chloroplast stroma. Quantification of N-terminal acetylation revealed differing co- vs. posttranslational N-terminal acetylation patterns. Intriguingly, our data additionally hints to alternative translation initiation serving as a common mechanism to supply protein copies in multiple cellular compartments, as alternative translation sites are often in close proximity to cleavage sites of N-terminal transit sequences of nuclear-encoded chloroplastic and mitochondrial proteins. Overall, riboproteogenomics screening enables the identification of (differential localized) N-terminal proteoforms raised upon alternative translation.
The Effect of Cognitive–Behavioral Play Therapy on Improvements in Expressive Linguistic Disorders of Bilingual Children

The present study attempted to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral play therapy (CBPT) on the improvements in the expressive linguistic disorders of bilingual children. The population consists of all bilingual children with expressive linguistic disorders studying in preschools. Considering the study’s objectives, a sample of 60 people, in three groups (experimental, control, and pseudo-control), were selected using WISC, TOLD, and clinical interviews. The experimental group members participated in CBPT training sessions. The training consisted of twelve 90-min sessions, three times per week programs held every other day. The pseudo-control group received training different from play therapy. The experimental group members were subjected to the follow-up test 2 months after the end of the intervention. All three groups sat the TOLD3 test before and after the experiment. Data analysis was carried out using ANCOVA. The results of data analysis suggested that CBPT can improve the expressive language disorders of bilingual children.
Associations of Carbohydrate Intake With New-Onset Hypertension Subtypes: Results From the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2000–2011)

Background: The effects of carbohydrate intake on hypertension (HTN) subtypes are scarce. We examined the association of carbohydrate intake with new-onset HTN subtypes in Chinese adults. Methods: Chinese Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) 2000–2011, 22,418 individuals were recorded using a 24-h recall method over three consecutive days. We excluded those who were pregnant women, lactating mothers, age <18 years, baseline age, blood pressure, and energy intake deficiency, extreme energy intake (male > 6,000 kcal or < 800 kcal; female > 4,000 kcal or < 600 kcal), and pulse pressure difference (Systolic Blood Pressure [SBP] - Diastolic Blood Pressure [DBP]) <10 mm Hg, HTN at baseline and data from only one survey. The total number of subjects who participated in at least two surveys was 7,930. The main outcome was new-onset HTN subtypes over 6.9 person years of follow-up. Results: 2,521 participants were found to be HTN, which included 1,318 males (52.3%), 1,203 females (47.7%), 721 had systolic-diastolic hypertension (SDH, 28.6%), 655 had isolated systolic hypertension (ISH, 26.0%), and 993 had isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH, 39.4%). Compared with extreme quintiles of carbohydrate, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for new-onset HTN, SDH, ISH and IDH associated with carbohydrate intake were 1.12 (0.97–1.30), 1.54 (1.18–2.00), 0.89 (0.67–1.19) and 1.15 (0.91–1.45), respectively. The HR of SDH compared with extreme quintiles of carbohydrates was 1.56 (95% CI, 1.08–2.25; P trend = 0.04) in men and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.02–2.26; P trend = 0.02) in women. Conclusion: Carbohydrates were related to a higher risk of SDH, which were not observed with HTN, ISH, and IDH.
The Impact of Study-at-Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic on Myopia Progression in Chinese Children

Background: To assess the impact of study-at-home during the COVID-19 pandemic on myopia development in Chinese schoolchildren. Methods: This historical cohort involved two groups with a total of 154 children. The exposed group was formed from 77 children aged 8 to 10 years who studied at home in the 7-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic (follow-up period: January – August 2020) and did not study at home in the 7-month period before the COVID-19 outbreak (baseline period: July 2019 – January 2020). Seventy-seven children who did not undergo study-at-home (baseline period: 7 months in 2015, follow-up period: 7 months in 2016) were included in the control group. Cycloplegic refraction, axial length and uncorrected visual acuity were measured 3 times. The questionnaire mainly focused on collecting visual habits. Results: Myopia progression was similar between the two groups in the baseline period. However, in the follow-up period the exposed group had a greater change in refraction toward myopia (−0.83 ± 0.56 D) than the control group (−0.28 ± 0.54 D; p < 0.001). In addition, the exposed group exhibited a significantly greater change in refraction toward myopia in the follow-up period (−0.83 ± 0.56 D) than in the baseline period (−0.33 ± 0.46 D; p < 0.001). Difference-in-difference analysis indicated that study-at-home accelerated the change in refraction toward myopia (t = −0.567; p < 0.001). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic study-at-home accelerated the change of refraction toward myopia in children.
DNA Barcoding of Scavenging Amphipod Communities at Active and Inactive Hydrothermal Vents in the Indian Ocean

Hydrothermal vent areas have drawn increasing interest since they were discovered in 1977. Because of chemoautotrophic bacteria, they possess high abundances of vent endemic species as well as many non-vent species around the fields. During the survey conducted by the Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, BGR) to identify inactive polymetallic sulfide deposits along Central and Southeast Indian Ridges, the INDEX project studied the scavenging amphipod community at three newly discovered hydrothermal fields. A sample consisting of 463 representatives of Amphipoda (Malacostraca: Crustacea) was collected by means of baited traps in active and inactive vents of three different sites and subsequently studied by both morphological and genetic methods. Molecular methods included the analysis of two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI] and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear (18S rRNA) genes. By six delimitation methods, 22 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) belonging to 12 genera and 10 families were defined. The existence of potential species complexes was noted for the representatives of the genus Paralicella. The inactive site, where 19 species were found, showed higher species richness than did the active one, where only 10 taxa were recorded. Seven genera, Ambasiopsis, Cleonardo, Eurythenes, Parandania, Pseudonesimus, Tectovalopsis, and Valettiopsis, were observed only at inactive sites, whereas Haptocallisoma, was collected exclusively at active ones. The species Abyssorchomene distinctus (Birstein and Vinogradov, 1960), Hirondellea brevicaudata Chevreux, 1910, and Hirondellea guyoti Barnard and Ingram, 1990, have been previously reported from vent sites in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans. The present study provides the first report of Eurythenes magellanicus (H. Milne Edwards, 1848) and five other already described species in the Indian Ocean. The addition of 356 sequences strongly increases the number of amphipod barcodes in reference databases and provides for the first time COI barcodes for Cleonardo neuvillei Chevreux, 1908, Haptocallisoma abyssi (Oldevig, 1959), Hirondellea guyoti, Tectovalopsis fusilus Barnard and Ingram, 1990, and the genera Haptocallisoma, Pseudonesimus, and Valettiopsis.
C-Reactive Protein Is an Indicator of the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment Fostered by Myeloid Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background C-reactive protein (CRP) is a widely used marker of systemic inflammation and predicts poor clinical outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its significance in the local immune response at the tumor site is not clear. Methods Serum CRP levels of 329 HCC patients were detected before resection. Paired paraffin-embedded tumor samples were used to quantify immune cell populations, such as CD11b+ myeloid cells, CD68+ macrophages (Mφs), CD15+ neutrophils, CD8+ T cells, and CD206+, CD204+, CD163+ and CD169+ Mφs, by immunohistochemistry. Enrichment scores for 34 types of immune cells based on transcriptome data from 24 HCC samples were calculated by xCell. Overall survival of patients was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Serum CRP levels were correlated with liver functions and tumor stages in patients with HCC. The densities of CD68+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and CD15+ tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) were significantly higher in patients with elevated serum CRP levels than in those with low CRP levels (both p < 0.0001). Further analysis of TAM subtypes revealed that serum CRP levels were associated with CD204+ and CD163+ Mφ densities (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0003, respectively). Moreover, transcriptome data showed that CRP expression was associated with the expression of myeloid cell infiltration-related genes in HCC tumors. The combination of serum CRP with TAMs or TANs in both the nontumor and intratumor regions could represent a powerful criterion for predicting patient prognoses. Conclusion Serum CRP could serve as an indicator of an immunosuppressive TME in HCC, which could be of potential clinical application for treatment strategies targeting the TME.
Current Progress in Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an uncommon type of T-cell lymphoma. Although with a low incidence, the epidemiological data raised the biosafety and health concerns of breast reconstruction and breast augmentation for BIA-ALCL. Emerging evidence confirms that genetic features, bacterial contamination, chronic inflammation, and textured breast implant are the relevant factors leading to the development of BIA-ALCL. Almost all reported cases with a medical history involve breast implants with a textured surface, which reflects the role of implant surface characteristics in BIA-ALCL. With this review, we expect to highlight the most significant features on etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of BIA-ALCL, as well as we review the physical characteristics of breast implants and their potential pathogenic effect and hopefully provide a foundation for optimal choice of type of implant with minimal morbidity.