Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“Reading the Mind in the Eyes” in Autistic Adults is Modulated by Valence and Difficulty: An InFoR Study

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous and complex neurodevelopmental conditions that urgently need reliable and sensitive measures to inform diagnosis properly. The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task (or Eyes Test from now on) is widely used for this purpose. A recent study showed that subcategories of items of the children version of the Eyes Test could be especially discriminative to distinguish ASD and control children. Here, we analyzed the performance on the Eyes Test of 30 high functioning (IQ > 70) adults with ASD and 29 controls from the InFoR cohort multicentric study, using a Generalized Linear Mixed Model. We found that valence and difficulty modulate the performance on the Eyes Test, with easy and positive items being the most discriminative to distinguish ASD and controls. In particular, we suggest this result might be actionable to discriminate ASD patients from controls in subgroups where their overall scores show less difference with controls. We propose for future research the computation of two additional indexes when using the Eyes Test: the first focusing on the easy and positive items (applying a threshold of 70% of correct responses for these items, above which people are at very low risk of having ASD) and the second focusing on the performance gain from difficult to easy items (with a progression of less than 15% showing high risk of having ASD). Our findings open the possibility for a major change in how the Eyes Test is used to inform diagnosis in ASD.
The “replication crisis” in the public eye: Germans’ awareness and perceptions of the (ir)reproducibility of scientific research

Several meta-analytical attempts to reproduce results of empirical research have failed in recent years, prompting scholars and news media to diagnose a “replication crisis” and voice concerns about science losing public credibility. Others, in contrast, hoped replication efforts could improve public confidence in science. Yet nationally representative evidence backing these concerns or hopes is scarce. We provide such evidence, conducting a secondary analysis of the German “Science Barometer” (“Wissenschaftsbarometer”) survey. We find that most Germans are not aware of the “replication crisis. ” In addition, most interpret replication efforts as indicative of scientific quality control and science’s self-correcting nature. However, supporters of the populist right-wing party AfD tend to believe that the “crisis” shows one cannot trust science, perhaps using it as an argument to discredit science. But for the majority of Germans, hopes about reputational benefits of the “replication crisis” for science seem more justified than concerns about detrimental effects.
Kinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty Did Not Show Superior Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with at Least 2-Year Follow-up

Abstract Kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (KATKA) was developed to improve the anatomical alignment of knee prostheses, assisting in restoring the native alignment of the knee and promoting physiological kinematics. Early clinical results were encouraging, showing better functional outcomes than with mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty (MATKA). However, there have been concerns about implant survival, and follow-up at 10 years or more has not been reported. In addition, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing KATKA with MATKA have reported inconsistent results. The current meta-analysis of RCTs with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up investigated the clinical and radiological differences between KATKA and MATKA. A systematic review of the English language literature resulted in the inclusion of four RCTs. The meta-analysis found no significant difference in any of the following parameters: postoperative range of motion for flexion (mean difference for KATKA − MATKA [MD], 1.7 degrees; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.4 to 4.8 degrees; p = 0.29) and extension (MD, 0.10 degrees; 95% CI, −0.99 to 1.2 degrees; p = 0.86); Oxford Knee Score (MD, 0.10 points; 95% CI, −1.5 to 1.7 points; p = 0.90); Knee Society Score (MD, 1.6 points; 95% CI, −2.8 to 6.0 points; p = 0.49); and Knee Function Score (MD, 1.4 points; 95% CI, −4.9 to 7.8 points; p = 0.66). In addition, there was no significant difference between KATKA and MATKA in the rate of complications requiring reoperation or revision surgery (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.25–4.09; p = 0.99) or in the length of hospital stay (MD, 1.0 days; 95% CI, −0.2 to 2.2 days; p = 0.092). KATKA did not increase the number of patients with poor clinical results due to implant position, particularly for varus placement of the tibial component. In this meta-analysis based on four RCTs with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, KATKA were only relevant to cruciate retaining TKA and could not be extrapolated to posterior stabilized TKA. Patient-reported outcome measures with KATKA were not superior to those with MATKA.
Influences of water depth gradient on photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of Vallisneria natans

In order to study the influences of water depth gradients on photosynthetic fluorescence characteristics of Vallisneria natans,three water depths of 0. 6,1. 3 and 2. 0 m were set,and Chlorophyll fluorescence characters and rapid light curves( RLCs)of V. natans grew in three water depth treatments were measured by a submersible,pulse-amplitude modulated fluorescence: Diving-PAM. The results suggested that,with water depth increasing,the number of ramets and leaves,total root length,root surface area decreased significantly,while the maximum leaf length,average leaf length,maximum leaf width did not change significantly.The growth of V. natans under 2. 0 m were restricted. With the increase of water depth from 0. 6 m to 2. 0 m,the difference of minimum fluorescence( F0) and maximum fluorescence( Fm) were not significant,while maximum quantum yield of photosystemⅡ( PSⅡ) and fluorescence parameter Fv/ F0 increased significantly,which indicated that photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ of V.natans grew under the condition of 2. 0 m was improved remarkably. The photosynthetic efficiency in leaf of V. natans grew in water depth of 2. 0 m with lower light intensity was higher than that grew in water depth of 0. 6 m with higher light intensity,and V.natans grew in water depth of 0. 6 m had better light protection mechanisms via fluorescence quenching assay. Compared to the leaf of V. natans grew under the condition of 0. 6 m,the leaf grew in water depth of 2. 0 mgot higher relative electron transport rate,and the initial slope of RLCs,light suppression parameter,maximum electron transport rate and minimum saturating irradiance were significantly different. The contents of chlorophyll-a( Chl. a),chlorophyll-b( Chl. b),carotenoid( Car) of the leaf of V.natans grew in water depth of 2. 0 m were significantly higher than those grew in water depth of 0. 6 m,but the ratio of Chl. a and Chl. b,the ratio of Car and Chl. a were not significantly different. The experimental results above reveal that with the increase of the water depth from 0. 6 m to 2. 0 m,the photosynthetic capability of V. natans became weaker,however,the light protection mechanisms of the V. natans showed the reverse,indicating that V. natans was likely to adapt to different environment caused by water depths by adjusting itself photosynthetic physiology.
Association of Pathologic Complete Response with Long-Term Survival Outcomes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant therapy has been associated with improved event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) in early-stage breast cancer. The magnitude of this association varies by breast cancer subtype, yet further research focusing on subtype-specific populations is limited. Here we provide an updated and comprehensive evaluation of the association between pCR and survival outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). A literature review identified neoadjuvant studies, including clinical trials, real-world cohort studies, and studies that pooled multiple trials or cohorts, which reported EFS/OS results by pCR in patients with early-stage TNBC. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the association between pCR and EFS/OS and to predict long-term survival outcomes based on pCR status. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of cross-study variations. Twenty-five studies with over 4,000 patients with TNBC were identified. A synthesis of evidence from these studies suggested substantial improvement in EFS and OS for pCR versus non-pCR [EFS HR (95% confidence interval): 0.24 (0.20–0.29); OS: 0.19 (0.15–0.24)]; consistent results were reported in sensitivity analyses. Collectively, our findings suggest that adjuvant therapy is associated with improved EFS/OS in patients with TNBC who received neoadjuvant therapy, regardless of pCR status.
Non-spousal family support, marital status, and heart problems in adulthood

Abstract Objectives Support from one’s spouse has long been documented as a significant determinant of health for married individuals. However, non-spousal family support may play an important role in health particularly for unmarried individuals. Therefore, this study examined whether the association between non-spousal family support and diagnosis of heart problems differed by marital status and whether gender and education moderated these associations. Design Data came from the first two waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. This study selected respondents who participated in both waves of MIDUS and were not diagnosed with a heart problem at Wave 1 (N = 3,119). Main Outcome Measures Participants reported whether they had any heart trouble. Discrete-time event history analysis was used to examine the risk of heart problems between MIDUS Waves 1 and 2. Results A higher level of non-spousal family support was associated with a lower risk of developing a heart problem only among unmarried women and unmarried individuals with high school education or less, and not for married individuals. Conclusion Findings highlight the importance of considering specific sources of family support when studying heart health, and the health-protective role of non-spousal family support for those who are not married.
Monitoring early stage lung disease in cystic fibrosis

Purpose of review Early stage lung disease has long been synonymous with infancy and childhood. As diagnosis happens earlier and conventional management improves, we are seeing larger proportions of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) in adolescence and even adulthood with well preserved lung health. The availability of highly effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulator drugs for a large proportion of the CF population will impact even further. Transitioning into adult care with ‘normal’ lung function will become more common. However, it is crucial that we are not blasé about this phase, which sets the scene for future lung health. It is well recognized that lung function assessed by spirometry is insensitive to ‘early’ changes occurring in the distal, small airways. Much of our learning has come from studies in infants and young children, which have allowed assessment and optimization of alternative forms of monitoring. Recent findings Here, as a group of paediatric and adult CF specialists, we review the evidence base for sensitive physiological testing based on multibreath washout, lung imaging, exercise and activity monitoring, assessment of infection and quality of life measures. Summary We seek to emphasise the importance of further work in these areas, as outcome measures become widely applicable to a growing CF population.
Eco-evolutionary feedbacks mediated by bacterial membrane vesicles

ABSTRACT Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are spherical extracellular organelles whose cargo is enclosed by a biological membrane. The cargo can be delivered to distant parts of a given habitat in a protected and concentrated manner. This review presents current knowledge about BMVs in the context of bacterial eco-evolutionary dynamics among different environments and hosts. BMVs may play an important role in establishing and stabilizing bacterial communities in such environments; for example, bacterial populations may benefit from BMVs to delay the negative effect of certain evolutionary trade-offs that can result in deleterious phenotypes. BMVs can also perform ecosystem engineering by serving as detergents, mediators in biochemical cycles, components of different biofilms, substrates for cross-feeding, defense systems against different dangers and enzyme-delivery mechanisms that can change substrate availability. BMVs further contribute to bacteria as mediators in different interactions, with either other bacterial species or their hosts. In short, BMVs extend and deliver phenotypic traits that can have ecological and evolutionary value to both their producers and the ecosystem as a whole.
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in Cancer and Immunosuppressed Patients.

BACKGROUND The role of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) as cause of diarrhea in cancer and immunocompromised patients is controversial. Quantitation of bacterial loads has been proposed as a method to differentiate colonized from truly infected patients. METHODS We studied 77 adult cancer and immunosuppressed patients with diarrhea and EPEC identified in stools by FilmArray, 25 patients with pathogen-negative diarrhea and 21 healthy adults without diarrhea. Stools were studied by qRT-PCR for EPEC genes eaeA, and lifA/efa-1 and strains characterized for virulence factors and adherence to human intestinal enteroids (HIEs). RESULTS Patients with EPEC were more likely to have community acquired diarrhea (p=0.009 OR 3.82, [95% CI 1.5-10.0]) when compared to pathogen negative cases. Although EPEC was identified in 3 of 21 (14%) of healthy subjects by qRT-PCR, the bacterial burden was low when compared to patients with diarrhea (≤55 vs. 6x10 4 bacteria/mg stool, p<0.001). Among EPEC patients, the bacterial burden was higher in those receiving immunosuppression (median 6.7x10 3 vs. 55 bacteria/mg, p<0.001) and those with fecal lifA/efa1 (median 5x10 4 vs. 120 bacteria/mg, p=0.015). Response to antimicrobial therapy was seen in 44/48 (92%) of patients with EPEC as the sole pathogen. Antimicrobial resistance was common and strains exhibited distinct patterns of adherence with variable cytotoxicity when studied in HIEs. Cancer care was delayed in 13% of patients. CONCLUSIONS Immunosuppressed cancer patients with EPEC associated diarrhea carry high burden of EPEC with strains that are resistant to antibiotics, exhibit novel patterns of adherence when studied in HIEs, and interfere with cancer care.
Overexpression of Arabidopsis ICE1 enhances yield and multiple abiotic stress tolerance in indica rice

ABSTRACT ICE1 (Inducer of CBF Expression 1), a MYC-type bHLH transcription factor, is a regulator of cold tolerance in Arabidopsis. Indica rice, which occupies the major rice cultivated area, is highly sensitive to cold stress. Hence in this study, Arabidopsis ICE1 (AtICE1) was overexpressed in indica rice to analyze its role in reproductive stage cold and other abiotic stress tolerance to indica rice. AtICE1 was overexpressed by using stress inducible AtRD29A promoter in mega rice cv. MTU1010. Under cold stress conditions, AtICE1 overexpression lines showed lower accumulation of MDA and H2O2, higher membrane stability, and thus higher seedling survival rate than the WT plants. Expression levels of OsDREB1A, OsMYB3R2, and OsTPP1 were significantly higher in transgenics as compared with WT under cold stress conditions. AtICE1 transgenic rice plants produced 44–60% higher grain yield as compared with WT plants under control conditions in three independent experiments. Of the three AtICE1 overexpression lines, two lines produced significantly higher grain yield as compared with WT plants after recovery from cold, salt and drought stresses. AtICE1 overexpression lines showed significantly higher stomatal density and conductance under non-stress conditions. qRT-PCR analysis showed that expression levels of stomatal pathway genes viz., OsSPCH1, OsSPCH2, OsSCR1, OsSCRM1, OsSCRM2 and OsMUTE were significantly higher in AtICE1 transgenics as compared with WT plants. The components of water use viz., stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, and instantaneous WUE were higher in transgenics as compared with WT plants. The results showed that AtICE1 confers multiple stress tolerance to indica rice, and the role of ICE1 in stress tolerance and stomatal development is conserved across species.
The Potential Role of Cathepsin K in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

(1) Background: Cathepsin K has been found overexpressed in several malignant tumors. However, there is little information regarding the involvement of Cathepsin K in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). (2) Methods: Cathepsin K expression was tested in human NSCLC cell lines A549 and human embryo lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells using Western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Cathepsin K was transiently overexpressed or knocked down using transfection with a recombinant plasmid and siRNA, respectively, to test the effects on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. (3) Results: Expression of Cathepsin K was increased significantly in A549 cells and diffused within the cytoplasm compared to the MRC-5 cells used as control. Cathepsin K overexpression promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells, accompanied by mTOR activation. Cathepsin K knockdown reversed the above malignant behavior and inhibited the mTOR signaling activation, suggesting that Cathepsin K may promote the progression of NSCLC by activating the mTOR signaling pathway. (4) Conclusion: Cathepsin K may potentially represent a viable drug target for NSCLC treatment.
Inhibitors of bromodomain and extra‐terminal proteins for treating multiple human diseases

Clinical development of bromodomain and extra‐terminal (BET) protein inhibitors differs from the traditional course of drug development. These drugs are simultaneously being evaluated for treating a wide spectrum of human diseases due to their novel mechanism of action. BET proteins are epigenetic “readers,” which play a primary role in transcription. Here, we briefly describe the BET family of proteins, of which BRD4 has been studied most extensively. We discuss BRD4 activity at latent enhancers as an example of BET protein function. We examine BRD4 redistribution and enhancer reprogramming in embryonic development, cancer, cardiovascular, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases, presenting hallmark studies that highlight BET proteins as attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. We review the currently available approaches to targeting BET proteins, methods of selectively targeting individual bromodomains, and review studies that compare the effects of selective BET inhibition to those of pan‐BET inhibition. Lastly, we examine the current clinical landscape of BET inhibitor development.
The role of parental effect and relatedness on early development of vendace and whitefish in short and long winter

In this study, parental effect on embryonic mortality, embryonic growth, hatching time and hatching size of vendace (Coregonus albula) and whitefish (C. lavaretus) was studied under different climate change conditions. The aim was to distinguish the maternal, paternal and maternal-paternal interaction effects by crossbreeding individual females and males of vendace and whitefish separately. Moreover, the relatedness of the parent pairs of vendace was examined genetically to find out if inbreeding depression could explain the variation in reproduction success between different pairs. The eggs were incubated under short and long winter conditions. Whitefish had significantly lower embryonic mortality rate than vendace, but the different winter conditions did not affect the embryonic mortality of either species. In the full cross-fertilization experiment, the mortality rate of vendace was clearly higher than the mortality in the earlier experiment with the fertilization design simulating mass spawning. In whitefish experiments there was no difference in mortality between the two designs. This supports the possibility that vendace have some kind of post-spawning fertilization control mechanism. Water temperature was the main factor influencing the hatching time of larvae, but within the time range set by the temperature, parental origin and especially the female also had an effect. All the vendace parents that had very low reproduction success also had very high or low inbreeding coefficients (F). Therefore, it seems that for vendace, the individuals’ inbreeding coefficient is related to its reproduction success.
SEUSS integrates transcriptional and epigenetic control of root stem cell organizer specification

Proper regulation of homeotic gene expression is critical for stem cell fate in both plants and animals. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the WUSCHEL (WUS)‐RELATED HOMEOBOX 5 (WOX5) gene is specifically expressed in a group of root stem cell organizer cells called the quiescent center (QC) and plays a central role in QC specification. Here, we report that the SEUSS (SEU) protein, homologous to the animal LIM‐domain binding (LDB) proteins, assembles a functional transcriptional complex that regulates WOX5 expression and QC specification. SEU is physically recruited to the WOX5 promoter by the master transcription factor SCARECROW. Subsequently, SEU physically recruits the SET domain methyltransferase SDG4 to the WOX5 promoter, thus activating WOX5 expression. Thus, analogous to its animal counterparts, SEU acts as a multi‐adaptor protein that integrates the actions of genetic and epigenetic regulators into a concerted transcriptional program to control root stem cell organizer specification.
Identification of DNMT3B2 as the Predominant Isoform of DNMT3B in Porcine Alveolar Macrophages and Its Involvement in LPS-Stimulated TNF-α Expression

DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) as one member of the DNMT family functions as a de novo methyltransferase, characterized as more than 30 splice variants in humans and mice. However, the expression patterns of DNMT3B in pig as well as the biological function of porcine DNMT3B remain to be determined. In this study, we first examined the expression patterns of DNMT3B in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM). We demonstrated that only DNMT3B2 and DNMT3B3 were the detectable isoforms in PAM. Furthermore, we revealed that DNTM3B2 was the predominant isoform in PAM. Next, in the model of LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-activated PAM, we showed that in comparison to the unstimulated PAM, (1) expression of DNTM3B is reduced; (2) the methylation level of TNF-α gene promoter is decreased. We further establish that DNMT3B2-mediated methylation of TNF-α gene promoter restricts induction of TNF-α in the LPS-stimulated PAM. In summary, these findings reveal that DNMT3B2 is the predominant isoform in PAM and its downregulation contributes to expression of TNF-α via hypomethylation of TNF-α gene promoter in the LPS-stimulated PAM.
The preliminary study on geohistory of Dendrolimus punctatus and its host plants, Pinus spp.

Fossil origins of masson pine moth, Dendrolimus punctatus Walker and its host plants, Pinus spp. are studied textually.We infer that D.punctatus forms a new species no earlier than Jurassic in Mesozoic,perhaps between lower Cretaceous and Jurassic. Effects of geohistory from Tertiary and many important event whereafter on the formation of present genetic diversity and spatial pattern of D.punctatus were also discussed.