Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Galectin-9 promotes natural killer cells activity via interaction with CD44

Natural killer (NK) cells are a potent innate source of cytokines and cytoplasmic granules. Their effector functions are tightly synchronized by the balance between the stimulatory and inhibitory receptors. Here, we quantified the proportion of NK cells and the surface presence of Galectin-9 (Gal-9) from the bone marrow, blood, liver, spleen, and lungs of adult and neonatal mice. We also examined the effector functions of Gal-9+NK cells compared with their Gal-9- counterparts. Our results revealed that Gal-9+NK cells are more abundant in tissues, in particular, in the liver than in the blood and bone marrow. We found Gal-9 presence was associated with enhanced cytotoxic effector molecules granzyme B (GzmB) and perforin expression. Likewise, Gal-9 expressing NK cells displayed greater IFN-γ and TNF-α expression than their negative counterparts under hemostatic circumstances. Notably, the expansion of Gal-9+NK cells in the spleen of mice infected with E. coli implies that Gal-9+NK cells may provide a protective role against infection. Similarly, we found the expansion of Gal-9+NK cells in the spleen and tumor tissues of melanoma B16-F10 mice. Mechanistically, our results revealed the interaction of Gal-9 with CD44 as noted by their co-expression/co-localization. Subsequently, this interaction resulted in enhanced expression of Phospho-LCK, ERK, Akt, MAPK, and mTOR in NK cells. Moreover, we found Gal-9+NK cells exhibited an activated phenotype as evidenced by increased CD69, CD25, and Sca-1 but reduced KLRG1 expression. Likewise, we found Gal-9 preferentially interacts with CD44high in human NK cells. Despite this interaction, we noted a dichotomy in terms of effector functions in NK cells from COVID-19 patients. We observed that the presence of Gal-9 on NK cells resulted in a greater IFN-γ expression without any changes in cytolytic molecule expression in these patients. These observations suggest differences in Gal-9+NK cell effector functions between mice and humans that should be considered in different physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, our results highlight the important role of Gal-9 via CD44 in NK cell activation, which suggests Gal-9 is a potential new avenue for the development of therapeutic approaches to modulate NK cell effector functions.
Local Scour At Bridge Piers: The Role Of Reynolds Number On Horseshoe Vortex Dynamics

This paper reports a comprehensive study of the major scour agent around bridge piers: the turbulent horseshoe vortex. The intricate and inherently unsteady characteristics of the junction flow are captured within a series of scaled laboratory experiments. We applied the state-of-the art Time-Resolved Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (TR-DPIV) technique to measure the velocity field at the centerline plane of symmetry upstream of a cylindrical model. Three levels of Reynolds numbers (Re D ) based on the obstacle diameter were studied: 26,000, 48,000 and 117,500. We evaluated the effect of this factor based on the time-averaged analyses of velocity and vorticity. Basic statistical analysis of the fluctuating velocity components provided insight to the physical mechanism that governs the behavior of the horseshoe vortex at the aforementioned levels of Re D .
High Levels of Leptin and Adipsin Are Associated with Clinical Activity in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Overweight and Periodontal Infection

Adipokines are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are potential biomarkers of disease activity, periodontitis, and obesity. The aim of this was to establish the association between adipokine profile, RA disease activity, body mass index, and periodontal infection. This study evaluated 51 patients with early-RA and 51 controls including serum rheumatological markers, adipokine levels, detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis and serum anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis antibodies, clinical and periodontal measurements. Statistical analyses were run with SPSS® V26, with a logistic regression model to confirm associations. The results show high levels of leptin were more frequent in patients (p = 0.001) who simultaneously showed a higher frequency of Porphyromonas gingivalis (p = 0.004). Patients with concomitant presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, high clinical activity score, and overweight were correlated with high levels of leptin (OR, 7.20; 95% CI, 2.68–19.33; p = 0.0001) and adipsin (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.00–7.28; p = 0.005). The conclusion is that high levels of leptin and adipsin are associated with greater clinical activity in early-RA patients with overweight and periodontal infection, whereby overweight and Porphyromonas gingivalis may enhance RA activity. This may represent a pathological mechanism between these conditions, where adipokines seem to have a key role.
Chronic Administration of Melatonin: Physiological and Clinical Considerations

Background: Exogenous melatonin is commonly used to treat insomnia, other sleep problems, and numerous medical illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, and mild cognitive impairment in adults and children. There is evolving information regarding issues with the use of chronic melatonin. Methods: The present investigation was a narrative review. Results: Melatonin usage has risen dramatically in recent years. Many countries only allow melatonin prescriptions. In the United States (U.S.), it is classified as a dietary supplement accessible over the counter and can be derived from animals, microorganisms, or, most commonly, made synthetically. No regulatory agency oversees its manufacturing or sale in the U.S. melatonin concentration of marketed preparations varies widely between product labels and manufacturers. Melatonin’s ability to induce sleep is detectable. However, it is modest for most people. Sleep length appears to be less important in sustained-release preparations. The optimal dosage is unknown, and routinely used amounts vary substantially. Melatonin’s short-term negative effects are minimal, resolve at medicine cessation, and do not usually prevent usage overall. Much research on long-term melatonin administration has found no difference between exogenous melatonin and placebo in terms of long-term negative effects. Conclusion: Melatonin at low to moderate dosages (approximately 5–6 mg daily or less) appears safe. Long-term usage appears to benefit certain patient populations, such as those with autism spectrum disorder. Studies investigating potential benefits in reducing cognitive decline and increased longevity are ongoing. However, it is widely agreed that the long-term effects of taking exogenous melatonin have been insufficiently studied and warrant additional investigation.
Isolated anti-Ro52 identifies a severe subset of Sjögren’s syndrome patients

Introduction Serum autoantibodies targeting the SSA/Ro proteins are a key component of the classification criteria for the diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Most patients' serum reacts with both Ro60 and Ro52 proteins. Here we compare the molecular and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with SS with anti-Ro52 in the presence or absence of anti-Ro60/La autoantibodies. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. Patients in the SS biobank at Westmead Hospital (Sydney, Australia) that were positive for anti-Ro52 were included and stratified based on the absence (isolated) or presence (combined) of anti-Ro60/La, measured by line immunoassay. We examined clinical associations and the serological and molecular characteristics of anti-Ro52 using ELISA and mass spectrometry in serological groups. Results A total of 123 SS patients were included for study. SS patients with isolated anti-Ro52 (12%) identified a severe serological subset characterised by higher disease activity, vasculitis, pulmonary involvement, rheumatoid factor (RhF) and cryoglobulinaemia. Serum antibodies reacting with Ro52 in the isolated anti-Ro52 subset displayed less isotype switching, less immunoglobulin variable region subfamily usage and a lower degree of somatic hypermutation than the combined anti-Ro52 subset. Conclusions In our cohort of SS patients, isolated anti-Ro52 represents a severe subset of SS, and is associated with the presence of cryoglobulinaemia. We therefore provide clinical relevance to the stratification of SS patients by their sero-reactivities. It is possible that the autoantibody patterns may be immunological epiphenomena of the underlying disease process, and further work is required to unearth the mechanisms of the differential clinical phenotypes.
Analysis of ranked data in randomized blocks when there are missing values

ABSTRACT Data consisting of ranks within blocks are considered for randomized block designs when there are missing values. Tied ranks are possible. Such data can be analysed using the Skillings–Mack test. Here we suggest a new approach based on carrying out an ANOVA on the ranks using the general linear model platform available in many statistical packages. Such a platform allows an ANOVA to be calculated when there are missing values. Indicative sizes and powers show the ANOVA approach performs better than the Skillings–Mack test.
Certain Subclasses of Analytic Functions Associated with the Generalized Hypergeometric Function

Recently, the authors introduced and studied certain subclasses of analytic functions (associated with the generalized hypergeometric function) using the classical normalization. The main object of this sequel to the earlier work is to present a systematic investigation of various subclasses of analytic functions using Montel's normalization. Coefficients estimates, distortion theorems, and the radii of convexity and starlikeness for each of these classes are given.
Bayesian bivariate quantile regression

Quantile regression (QR) has become a widely used tool to study the impact of covariates on quantiles of a response distribution. QR provides a detailed description of the conditional response when considering a dense set of quantiles, without assuming a closed form for its distribution. The Bayesian version of QR, which can be implemented by considering the asymmetric Laplace distribution (ALD) as an auxiliary error distribution, is an attractive alternative to other methods because it returns knowledge on the whole parameter distribution instead of solely point estimations. While for the univariate case there has been a lot of development in the last few years, multivariate responses have only been treated to a little extent in the literature, especially in the Bayesian case. By using a multivariate version of the location scale mixture representation for the ALD, we are able to apply inference techniques developed for multivariate Gaussian models on multivariate quantile regression and make thus the impact of covariates on the quantiles of more than one dependent variable feasible. The model structure also facilitates the determination of conditional correlations between bivariate responses on different quantile levels after adjusting for covariate effects.
In vivo multiphoton microscopy associated to 3D image processing for human skin characterization

Multiphoton microscopy has emerged in the past decade as a promising non-invasive skin imaging technique. The aim of this study was to assess whether multiphoton microscopy coupled to specific 3D image processing tools could provide new insights into the organization of different skin components and their age-related changes. For that purpose, we performed a clinical trial on 15 young and 15 aged human female volunteers on the ventral and dorsal side of the forearm using the DermaInspectR medical imaging device. We visualized the skin by taking advantage of intrinsic multiphoton signals from cells, elastic and collagen fibers. We also developed 3D image processing algorithms adapted to in vivo multiphoton images of human skin in order to extract quantitative parameters in each layer of the skin (epidermis and superficial dermis). The results show that in vivo multiphoton microscopy is able to evidence several skin alterations due to skin aging: morphological changes in the epidermis and modifications in the quantity and organization of the collagen and elastic fibers network. In conclusion, the association of multiphoton microscopy with specific image processing allows the three-dimensional organization of skin components to be visualized and quantified thus providing a powerful tool for cosmetic and dermatological investigations.
Injury Occurrence in Amateur Rugby: Prospective Analysis of Specific Predictors over One Half-Season

Background and objectives: The incidence of injuries in rugby is extremely high, but studies have rarely examined the predictors of injury in amateur players. This study aimed to systematically analyse sports and injury factors as potential predictors of musculoskeletal injuries in senior-level amateur rugby players. Methods: The participants in this study were 101 senior-level rugby players from Croatia (average of 24.64 years old). At baseline, all participants were tested on sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters (age, body height and mass), consumption of dietary supplements, preseason injury status and training volume, and sport factors (position in game). Data on injury occurrence (dependent variable), prevalence of pain, training status, and characteristics of the played match were surveyed prospectively once a week during the three-month period (one half-season). Results: The logistic regression revealed a higher injury occurrence in forward players of the 1st row, 2nd row (OR = 5.07; 95% CI: 1.64–15.69), and center (OR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.28–14.31), with reference to outside back players. When observed univariately, higher body mass, higher level of competition, more weekly training sessions, self-perceived pain, and playing with pain were significant injury risk factors. The multivariate logistic regression identified pre-season injury (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09–1.52), higher level of the game/match (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.13–1.76), higher body mass (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05), and pain prevalence (OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 3.22-7.70) as multivariate predictors of injury occurrence over the season. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that among sport factors, the playing position, level of competition, and training exposure represent major injury risk factors. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of injuries, special emphasis should be placed on the specific tackling technique of forward players, which could both increase their situational efficiency and protect them from injuries. Additionally, perceived pain, injury history, and playing with injury were noted among injury factors as the ones that can be predictors of future injuries. In that manner, it is important that coaching and medical staff monitor players with previous injuries and with pain symptoms in order to act preventively against injury occurrence.
The Mechanism of the Channel Opening in Channelrhodopsin-2: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) has been one of the most important objects in the study of optogenetics. The retinal chromophore molecule absorbs photons and undergoes an isomerization reaction, which triggers the photocycle, resulting in a series of conformational changes. In this study, a series of intermediate structures (including D470, P500, P390-early, P390-late, and P520 states) of ChR2 in the photocycle were modeled, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to elucidate the mechanism of ion channel opening of ChR2. The maximum absorption wavelength of these intermediates calculated by time-dependent density function theory (TD-DFT) is in general agreement with the experimental values, the distribution of water density gradually increases in the process of photocycle, and the radius of the ion channel is larger than 6 Å. All these results indicate that our structural models of the intermediates are reasonable. The evolution of protonation state of E90 during the photocycle is explained. E90 will deprotonate when the P390-early transforms into P390-late, in which the two conformations of P390-early and P390-late obtained from the simulations are consistent with the experimental descriptions. To validate the conductive P520 state, the potential mean force (PMF) of Na+ ions passing through the P520 intermediate was calculated by using steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulation combined with umbrella sampling. The result shows that the Na+ ions passing through the channel with a very low energy barrier, especially in the central gate, is almost barrierless. This indicates that the channel is open in the P520 state.
Exact results in the theory of magnetic alloys

Abstract Recently it has been shown that many traditional models used for a description of dilute magnetic alloys are completely integrable and may be solved exactly without any approximation. In this article we summarize the results which have been obtained in this way. The main part of the article is devoted to the consistent and detailed account of the Bethe-Ansatz technique for the s-d exchange (Kondo) model with arbitrary impurity spin, s-d model with anisotropic exchange, degenerate exchange model and for the canonical Anderson model. The thermodynamic properties of a magnetic impurity in a non-magnetic metal host obtained by the Bethe method are considered in detail. Mainly attention is paid to the analysis of singularities associated with the formation of a localized moment, Kondo effect and mixedvalence phenomenon, which can be treated analytically. In the introductory part of the article we discuss the applicability of the models which we study in the paper to the real alloys and consider some m.
Study protocol: Hypersexual and hyposexual behavior among adults diagnosed with alcohol- and substance use disorders—Associations between traumatic experiences and problematic sexual behavior

Background Hypersexual and hyposexual behaviors are common concomitant of substance use disorders (SUD). On the one hand, the regular consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs can lead to hypersexual or hyposexual behavior due to its effects on the organism; on the other hand, the use of psychotropic substances is also used as a coping strategy concerning already existing sexual impairments. The aforementioned disorders show similarities in terms of their etiology, as traumatic experiences get special attention as potential risk factors for the development of addictions, hypersexual, and hyposexual behavior. Objectives The study aims to explore the association between SUD characteristics and hypersexual/hyposexual behavior, and a potential moderating effect of early traumatic life events by answering the following research questions: (1) Do people with SUD differ from a sample of people with other psychiatric disorders regarding hypersexual and hyposexual behavior? (2) What are the associations between the presence of sexual problems and different characteristics of the SUD (e.g., mono vs. polysubstance use, type of addictive substance, intensity of the disorder)? (3) What influence do traumatic experiences in childhood and adolescence have on the existence of sexual disorders among adults with a diagnosed SUD? Method The target group of this cross-sectional ex-post-facto study comprises adults diagnosed with an alcohol- and/or substance use disorder. Data will be collected with an online survey, which will be promoted via several support and networking services for people diagnosed with SUD. Two control groups will be surveyed, one consisting of people with other psychiatric disorders than SUD and traumatic experiences, and one healthy group. Relations between the dependent variables (hypersexual and hyposexual behavior) and independent variables (sociodemographic information, medical and psychiatric status, intensity of the prevalent SUD, traumatic experiences, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder) will be initially calculated via correlations and linear regression. Risk factors will be identified via multivariate regression. Discussion Gaining relevant knowledge promises new perspectives for prevention, diagnosis, case conception, and therapy of SUDs as well as problematic sexual behaviors. The results can provide more information about the importance of psychosexual impairments regarding the development and maintenance of SUDs.
Teachers’ Vocabulary Talk in Early-Elementary Science Instruction

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which teachers use language to promote vocabulary development (i.e., vocabulary talk moves) during science instruction in early-elementary classrooms. Twenty-four total science lessons were recorded by eight teachers, providing 894.27 min of observational data across three timepoints. Discourse analysis was used to identify specific research-aligned vocabulary talk moves. Findings revealed that the cohort of teachers used considerably more moves for building students’ knowledge of word meanings than for building students’ awareness of words and word learning or for interesting students in words and word learning. Likewise, the cohort used more authoritative moves (teacher telling) than dialogic moves (inviting student exploration and engagement). This study contributes to the field's understanding of the ways that science instruction supports literacy learning and literacy instruction supports science learning in the early-elementary grades. The findings from this study have implications for teacher professional development and policy.
Hypertension and associated factors among patients attending HIV clinic at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

Summary Objectives This study determined the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among patients attending the HIV clinic at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Design A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at KBTH. The prevalence of hypertension was estimated among study participants, and socio-demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, metabolic and HIV/ART-related factors associated with hypertension were determined by logistic regression modelling. Setting Study participants were recruited from the HIV clinic at the KBTH. Participants A total of 311 Persons Living with HIV were recruited as study participants Interventions Simple random sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. A questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk-factor surveillance was used to collect study participants' data. Results The prevalence of hypertension was 36.7%, and the factors associated with hypertension were increasing age, positive family history of hypertension, minimal exercising, current BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2, total cholesterol level ≥5.17 mmol/L, exposure to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and increasing duration of ART exposure. Conclusions This study shows a high prevalence of hypertension among patients attending the HIV clinic at KBTH, associated with exposure to ART and increasing duration of this exposure. Blood pressure monitoring should move from routine to a more purposeful screening of patients for hypertension. Patients with the identified risk factors should be encouraged to have regular blood pressure measurements at home and not only when they visit the HIV clinic. Funding Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID) of the University of Ghana. The funding agency was not involved in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript