Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPOST PH BUFFER CAPACITY AND P CONTENT ON P AVAILABILITY IN A VIRGIN ULTISOL

Compost as input in managing P fertility offers the opportunity to expand and sustain agricultural production on Ultisols, thereby enhancing food security in the tropics, where Ultisols occupy about 18% of the landmass. This, therefore, necessitates the determination of compost biochemically based selection criterion to ensure maximum effect. Studies were conducted on an uncultivated clayey Ultisol soil to evaluate the effects of six compost sources in various combinations with lime or chemical fertilizer P on P sorption by laboratory incubation and on plant availability of P by bioassay in plastic house, using kale as the assay crop. The degree of P sorption in this soil was controlled by the antagonistic relationship between compost proton consumption capacity and the amount of P added by the compost, as indicated by the regression equation PSI = 202 pH − 0.61 P added − 330 (R2 = 0.84). Low pH buffer capacity was superior to high pH buffer capacity in mitigating the effect of soil P sorption. This is more apparent at high application rates, at which composts with low pH-buffering capacity marginally increased soil pH to effect precipitation of exchangeable Al, but not extensively as to generate new sorption surfaces through Al hydrolysis and Al hydroxyl polymerization or to precipitate calcium phosphates. This is consistent with observed increases in measured available P parameters, such as Bray 1P, Bray 1P = − 7.96 pH + 0.20 P added + 99 (R2 = 0.91), and CaCl2-P, and plant growth and P nutrition parameters in the soil samples treated with low buffer capacity composts compared with the high pH buffer capacity composts. This compensation effect of total P content of compost for pH buffer-induced P sorption can be a guiding criterion in ensuring effectiveness in managing the P fertility of Ultisols.
Optimization of Extraction Conditions of Antioxidant Activity from Zingiber zerumbet Oleoresin

The health promoting capacity of natural antioxidant from phytochemicals has increase attention from researchers and public. However, processing is affecting the activity and the bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Therefore, the optimization of extraction condition of antioxidant activity from Zingiber zerumbet oleoresin was investigated. A Box-Behnken design technique was employed to study the effect of different range parameters of soxhlet extraction. Analysis of variance and response surface methodology were applied to identify the optimal processing parameter. Independent variables were extraction time (8, 10 and 12), type of solvent used (hexane, acetone, ethanol) and blanching treatment (steam treated, boil treated, untreated). The response and variables were fitted well to each other by multiple regressions. All the independent parameters affected oleoresin yield and antioxidant activity significantly. The optimal processing parameter that fulfilled the requirement for yield of oleoresin and antioxidant activity were found to be 12 h extraction time, ethanol as the solvent used and untreated sample. While, the optimal yield of oleoresin was 13.05% w/w and antioxidant activity was 16.01% w/w.
Venous thromboembolic events in hand surgery

Abstract The risks of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total hip and knee arthroplasty have been widely published. Our aim was to investigate the recorded incidence of VTE events at the time of elective and trauma hand surgery. The UK National Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data linking VTE events with hand surgery for the financial years 2010–2012 were analysed. The local VTE rates following hand surgical procedures were also analysed. Finally, a cost assessment of VTE thromboprophylaxis was performed according to the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) guidelines. 334,211 hand surgical procedures were performed throughout England of which there were 13 DVT and 27 PE events. These events were seen in patients with pre-existing comorbidities. The annual incidence of VTE is 0.006% at most in hand surgical patients in England. The cost of implementing mechanical VTE thromboprophylaxis to all patients having hand surgery would amount to £6,336,641 over 2 years. The cost of treatment for all VTE events would amount to £20,418. VTE prophylaxis is probably not necessary in patients undergoing isolated elective or trauma hand surgical procedures.
Higher serum levels of autotaxin and phosphatidylserine‐specific phospholipase A1 in patients with lupus nephritis

Recent studies revealed that lysophospholipids (LPLs) and related molecules, such as autotaxin (ATX) and phosphatidylserine‐specific phospholipase A1 (PS‐PLA1), are candidates for novel biomarkers in melanoma, glaucoma and diabetic nephropathy. However, it is not clear whether serum levels of ATX/ PS‐PLA1 would be associated with pathological and clinical findings of lupus nephritis (LN).
HDAC Inhibition Increases HLA Class I Expression in Uveal Melanoma

Simple Summary Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are both used to treat malignancies. The immunotherapy of cancer often involves T cells, which recognise the antigens presented in HLA molecules. Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular malignancy, which often gives rise to metastases. We determined whether high-risk tumours expressed the target of two drugs, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor Quisinostat and Tazemetostat, an inhibitor of Enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2). We observed that especially high-risk UM tumours (monosomy 3, gain of 8q, loss of BAP1) expressed several HDACs, and showed a high HLA Class I expression. We further tested whether these drugs influenced HLA Class I expression on three UM cell lines. The drug Quisinostat led to an upregulation of HLA protein and mRNA levels in three UM cell lines, while Tazemetostat had little effect. We concluded that the use of drugs that influence epigenetic regulators may impact immunotherapy approaches. Abstract The treatment of uveal melanoma (UM) metastases or adjuvant treatment may imply immunological approaches or chemotherapy. It is to date unknown how epigenetic modifiers affect the expression of immunologically relevant targets, such as the HLA Class I antigens, in UM. We investigated the expression of HDACs and the histone methyl transferase EZH2 in a set of 64 UMs, using an Illumina HT12V4 array, and determined whether a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor and EZH2 inhibitor modified the expression of HLA Class I on three UM cell lines. Several HDACs (HDAC1, HDAC3, HDAC4, and HDAC8) showed an increased expression in high-risk UM, and were correlated with an increased HLA expression. HDAC11 had the opposite expression pattern. While in vitro tests showed that Tazemetostat did not influence cell growth, Quisinostat decreased cell survival. In the three tested cell lines, Quisinostat increased HLA Class I expression at the protein and mRNA level, while Tazemetostat did not have an effect on the cell surface HLA Class I levels. Combination therapy mostly followed the Quisinostat results. Our findings indicate that epigenetic drugs (in this case an HDAC inhibitor) may influence the expression of immunologically relevant cell surface molecules in UM, demonstrating that these drugs potentially influence immunotherapy.
The Role of Segmental Information in Syntactic Processing Through the Syntax–Prosody Interface

In two experiments, it was investigated whether potentially contrastive segmental information in the form of an epenthetic glottal stop in Maltese can influence syntactic parsing decisions. The glottal stop in Maltese serves a dual function as a phoneme used for lexical contrast and a non-contrastive phone that may mark a prosodic juncture. In both experiments, participants perceived a larger prosodic boundary before the word u (Engl. “and”) if the u was produced with an epenthetic glottal stop, showing the use of prosodically conditioned segmental information in syntactic parsing. Furthermore, listeners were generally unaware of the existence of the epenthetic glottal stop even though a glottal stop is used as a phoneme represented as a grapheme “q. ” They also perceived a larger prosodic juncture when the preceding syllable was lengthened before the word u (“and”). These findings were consistent regardless of whether the glottal stop reinforced a late-closure decision (Experiment 1) or an early-closure decision (Experiment 2). The results indicate that both segmental and suprasegmental information influences syntactic parsing decisions, demonstrating that the syntax–prosody interface is reflected along both the segmental and suprasegmental (duration) dimensions, which are mediated by the phonetics–prosody interface.
Downregulated GPR30 expression in the epileptogenic foci of female patients with focal cortical dysplasia type IIb and tuberous sclerosis complex is correlated with 18F‐FDG PET‐CT values

Focal cortical dysplasia type IIb (FCDIIb) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are typical causes of developmental delay and refractory epilepsy. G‐protein‐coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) is a specific estrogen receptor that is critical in neurodevelopment, neuroinflammation, and neuronal excitability, suggesting that it plays a potential role in the epilepsy of patients with FCDIIb and TSC. Therefore, we investigated the role of GPR30 in patients with FCDIIb and TSC. We found that the expression of GPR30 and its downstream protein kinase A (PKA) pathway were decreased and negatively correlated with seizure frequency in female patients with FCDIIb and TSC, but not in male patients. GPR30 was widely distributed in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, and its downregulation was especially notable in microglia. The GPR30 agonist G‐1 increased the expression of PKA and p‐PKA in cultured cortical neurons, and the GPR30 antagonist G‐15 exhibited the opposite effects of G‐1. The NF‐κB signaling pathway was also activated in the specimens of female patients with FCDIIb and TSC, and was regulated by G‐1 and G‐15 in cultured cortical neurons. We also found that GPR30 regulated cortical neuronal excitability by altering the frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents and the expression of NR2A/B. Further, the relationship between GPR30 and glycometabolism was evaluated by analyzing the correlations between GPR30 and 18F‐FDG PET‐CT values (standardized uptake values, SUVs). Positive correlations between GPR30 and SUVs were found in female patients, but not in male patients. Intriguingly, GPR30 expression and SUVs were significantly decreased in the epileptogenic tubers of female TSC patients, and ROC curves indicated that SUVs could predict the localization of epileptogenic tubers. Taken together, our results suggest a potential protective effect of GPR30 in the epileptogenesis of female patients with FCDIIb and TSC.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polylactide (PLA) Composites Modified with Mg, Fe, and Polyethylene (PE) Additives

In this article, polylactic acid-based composites reinforced with 5% of polyethylene, iron, and magnesium powders were prepared by extrusion and compressed under the pressure of about 10 MPa and characterized. These composites were mechanically, thermally, and morphologically evaluated. It was found, compared to the pure polylactic acid (PLA), an improvement in tensile strength (both σ and YS0.2) was obtained for the composite with the iron powder addition, while the magnesium powder slightly improved the ductility of the composite material (from 2.0 to 2.5%). Degradation studies of these composites in the 0.9% saline solution over a period of 180 days revealed changes in the pH of the solution from acidic to alkaline, in all samples. The most varied mass loss was observed in the case of the PLA-5%Mg sample, where initially the sample mass increased (first 30 days) then decreased, and after 120 days, the mass increased again. In the context of degradation phenomenon of the tested materials, it turns out that the most stable is the PLA composite with the Fe addition (PLA-5%Fe), with highest tensile strength and hardness.
β-ecdysterone alleviates osteoarthritis by activating autophagy in chondrocytes through regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway.

PURPOSE To investigate the therapeutic effects of β-ecdysterone on osteoarthritis (OA) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS OA model was established on rats by injecting MIA. ELSA was used to determine the concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, NO and TNF-α in the chondrocytes and cartilage tissues. Immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the expression of collagen II in the chondrocytes. The survival rate of chondrocytes was evaluated by MTT assay. The apoptosis of chondrocytes was checked by AO/PI staining and flow cytometry assay. The expression level of Atg7, PI3K and caspase-3 was evaluated by qRT-PCR. Western Blot was used determine the expression of PI3K, p-AKT1, AKT1, p-mTOR, mTOR, p70S6K, p-p70S6K, LC3I, LC3II and caspase-3. HE staining was used to check the pathological state of cartilage tissues. RESULTS Chondrocytes were tolerable to rapamycin, 3-methyladenine and β-ecdysterone at the concentration of 10 mM, 100 nM and 40 μM, respectively. The apoptosis of chondrocytes was inhibited by rapamycin and β-ecdysterone, and induced by 3-methyladenine. PI3K, p-AKT1, p-mTOR, p-p70S6K and caspase-3 were down-regulated by rapamycin and β-ecdysterone, and up-regulated by 3-methyladenine in both the chondrocytes and the cartilage tissues. The expression of Atg7 and LC3II/LC3I were regulated in a opposite way. The inflammation state was improved by rapamycin and β-ecdysterone both the chondrocytes and the cartilage tissues. HE staining results showed that the pathological state of cartilage tissues was alleviated by β-ecdysterone. CONCLUSION β-ecdysterone might alleviate osteoarthritis by activating autophagy in chondrocytes through regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway.
Diagnostic usefulness of denervation edema in the multifidus muscles using 3‐Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in cervical radiculopathy

Diagnosing cervical radiculopathy (CR) can be difficult because of symptomatic overlap with peripheral neuropathies. In this retrospective observational study, we aimed to determine whether short‐tau inversion recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are useful for detecting signs of denervation in the multifidus muscles in patients with CR.
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with sutureless bioprosthesis through right minithoracotomy with completely central cannulation—Early results in 203 patients

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini‐AVR) might improve clinical outcomes, particularly in high‐risk and elderly patients. Sutureless/rapid deployment bioprosthesis can offer advantage of decreasing the cross‐clamp time (XCT) and easing the procedure. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and perioperative outcomes of mini‐AVR using sutureless bioprothesis via the right minithoracotomy approach with our modified technique of central cannulation.
Assessing mental health in a context of extreme poverty: Validation of the rosenberg self-esteem scale in rural Haiti

A widening evidence base across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) points towards mutually reinforcing linkages between poverty and mental health problems. The use of validated and culturally relevant measures of mental health outcomes is crucial to the expansion of evidence. At present, there is a paucity of measures that have been tested and validated in contexts of extreme poverty. Using data from adult women living in extreme poverty in rural Haiti this study assesses the cross-cultural validity of the widely used Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and its applicability in assessing linkages between poverty and mental health outcomes. We find no evidence for a one-dimensional 10-factor structure of the RSES within our data and agree with other authors that the standard self-esteem model does not fit well in this cultural context. Comparisons with another widely used measure of mental health–the K6 measure–indicate that the RSES cannot be used as a proxy for mental health outcomes. We conclude that the use of the RSES in different cultural contexts and with samples with different socioeconomic characteristics should be undertaken with caution; and that greater consideration of the validity of psychosocial constructs and their measurement is vital for gaining robust and replicable insights into breaking the cycle between poverty and mental health problems.
Hierarchical mesoporous TiO2 microspheres for the enhanced photocatalytic oxidation of sulfonamides and their mechanism

Sulfonamides, a group of antibacterial agents, are not readily biodegradable and as a result have often been detected in wastewater effluents, rivers and lakes. This work investigated the photocatalytic degradation of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and related sulfonamides in H2O2 containing aqueous suspensions of mesoporous TiO2 microspheres exposed to simulated solar light irradiation. The three-dimensional mesoporous TiO2 microsphere catalyst was fabricated by a facile method via a one-step solvothermal process without templates. The performance of mesoporous TiO2 microspheres exceeded the commercially available P25 TiO2 catalyst in the photocatalytic degradation of sulfonamides. Sulfadimethoxine degradation increased and reached the optimal H2O2 concentration of 5.9 mM. Particularly, the disappearance of SDM as well as the formation and decomposition of some degradation intermediates were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-selective ion recording (HPLC-SIR) data modules, and possible photocatalytic degradation mechanisms were proposed. The hydroxylation and cleavage of the S–N or C–N bonds through •OH attacks on the aromatic rings and aminopyrimidine rings under simulated solar light irradiation with the assistance of H2O2 played important roles during SDM photocatalytic degradation.
Somatosensory Integration and Masking of Complex Tactile Information: Peripheral and Cortical Contributions

Nerve paresthesia is a sensory impairment experienced in clinical conditions such as diabetes. Paresthesia may “mask” or “compete” with meaningful tactile information in the patient’s sensory environment. The two objectives of the present study were: (1) to determine if radiating paresthesia produces a peripheral mask, a central mask, or a combination; (2) to determine if a response competition experimental design reveals changes in somatosensory integration similar to a masking design. Experiment 1 assessed the degree of masking caused by induced radiating ulnar nerve paresthesia (a concurrent non-target stimulus) on a vibrotactile Morse code letter acquisition task using both behavioral and neurophysiological measures. Experiment 2 used a response competition design by moving the radiating paresthesia to the median nerve. This move shifted the concurrent non-target stimulus to a location spatially removed from the target stimuli. The task, behavioral and neurophysiological measures remained consistent. The induced paresthesia impacted letter acquisition differentially depending on the relative location of meaningful and non-meaningful stimulation. Paresthesia acted as a peripheral mask when presented to overlapping anatomical stimulation areas, and a central mask when presented at separate anatomical areas. These findings are discussed as they relate to masking, subcortical, and centripetal gating.
Hyperion imaging system reveals heterogeneous tumor microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients at T1N0M0 stage

Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly heterogeneous neoplasm where the identification of heterogeneity is a critical clinical need to improve treatment planning and prognosis prediction. Utilizing the Hyperion imaging system to carry out high-dimensional proteomics analysis on the heterogeneity of tumor samples, this study aims to detect and analyze the heterogeneity of OSCC without lymph node metastasis and explore potential contributing factors for poor prognosis of early-stage OSCC. Methods We collected tumor tissue samples from four OSCC patients at the T1N0M0 stage, who presented with similar clinical manifestations. Patient formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections were prepared and stained using a panel of 26 immune or tumor-related antibodies. Different metal tags were assigned to each antibody. The stained cells were then detected and analyzed by the Hyperion imaging system. Results Tumor samples of four OSCC patients presenting with similar clinical characteristics at the T1N0M0 stage had different cell subtypes, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, CD11c+ dendritic cells, CD56+ natural killer cells, granulocytes, etc. More immunosuppressive cells were found in the sample of patient 1. We propose that differences in the tumor microenvironment of samples may contribute to different patients’ prognosis in the future. Conclusions High-dimensional proteomics analyses using the Hyperion imaging system help identify and analyze the tumor microenvironment heterogeneity of OSCC. Our study now presents this valuable resource and explains the potential reasons behind early OSCC patients’ poor prognosis.
The Role of 8 mol % Yttria Stabilized Zirconia in the Improvement of Electrochemical Performance of Lanthanum Manganite Composite Electrodes

In this study, 8 mol % yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) + La0.8Sr0. 2MnO3 (LSM) composite electrodes with addition of various amounts of YSZ were prepared on YSZ plates by a screen-printing method. The electrodes were then examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and studied by ac impedance, cyclic voltammetry, and potential step as well as a polarization technique. For the oxygen reduction reaction on the pure LSM electrode, the dissociative adsorption of oxygen on the LSM surface and the transfer of oxygen ions from the triple-phase boundary (TPB) to the YSZ electrolyte lattice were found to be two comparable rate-determining steps. The electrochemical resistance of the former step was proportional to the -0.5 power of p(O2), with a high activation energy of similar to 2.0 eV. The electrochemical resistance of the latter step was found to be independent of p(O2), with a low activation energy of similar to 1.0 eV. With addition of YSZ to the LSM electrode, the electrochemical activity was improved substantially with much lower electrochemical resistances for both steps. Furthermore, the dissociative adsorption of oxygen became less rate determining on the electrode with more YSZ addition. It was found that the transfer of oxygen ion was the only rate-determining step on the 40% YSZ + LSM electrode. The improvement in the electrochemical performance with addition of YSZ was found mainly due to the spatial enlargement of the TPB area, which increased the electrochemically active sites for the oxygen adsorption and charge-transfer reaction. The intimate sintering of YSZ particles to the YSZ substrate and the subsequent formation of the spatial TPB area were directly found by SEM examination and further confirmed by the increasing cathodic currents from the TPB area, which were separated from the total currents using a potential-step technique.