Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polytraumatization, Mental Health, and Delinquency Among Adolescent Gang Members.

Adolescent gang members are at high risk for polytraumatization (i.e., experiencing two or more types of trauma), which may contribute to behavioral problems, such as delinquency or drug distribution, and mental health symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The present study examined the associations between polytraumatization and these behavioral and mental health outcomes. We hypothesized that increased polytraumatization would lead to increased (b) mental health symptoms, (b) delinquency, and (c) drug distribution. Participants included 441 adolescent gang members (57.8% male; age range: 14-19 years) from a midsized city in the Midwestern United States. A path model was used to test hypotheses. A total of 88.0% of participants experienced polytraumatization, such as physical and sexual assault, involvement in accidents, or witnessing a death or injury. Polytraumatization was uniquely and positively associated with depressive and PTSD symptoms, delinquency, and drug distribution, βs = . 25-. 50, ps < . 001, explaining an additional 5.9%-22.5% of the variance in these outcomes beyond covariates. Untreated traumatic exposure among adolescent gang members may subsequently lead to poor behavioral and mental health outcomes. These results may inform prevention and intervention efforts focused on mental health and social justice among a high-risk adolescent population.
Influence of pre-pregnancy body mass index (p-BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on DNA methylation and protein expression of obesogenic genes in umbilical vein

Understanding the regulatory mechanisms that affect obesogenic genes expression in newborns is essential for early prevention efforts, but they remain unclear. Our study aimed to explore whether the maternal p-BMI and GWG were associated with regulatory single-locus DNA methylation in selected obesogenic genes. For this purpose, DNA methylation was assayed by Methylation-Sensitive High Resolution Melting (MS-HRM) technique and Sanger allele-bisulfite sequencing in fifty samples of umbilical vein to evaluate glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 2 (GNPDA2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α), and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes. Correlations between DNA methylation levels and indicators of maternal nutritional status were carried out. Western blotting was used to evaluate protein expression in extracts of the same samples. Results indicated that GNPDA2 and PGC1α genes have the same level of DNA methylation in all samples; however, a differential DNA methylation of LEPR gene promoter was found, correlating it with GWG and this correlation is unaffected by maternal age or unhealthy habits. Furthermore, leptin receptor (Lep-Rb) was upregulated in samples that showed the lowest levels of DNA methylation. This study highlights the association between poor GWG and adjustments on obesogenic genes expression in newborn tissues with potential consequences for development of obesity in the future.
An empowerment program for family caregivers of people with dementia.

OBJECTIVES Family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD) often feel powerless and experience decreased well-being. Our aim was to develop an intervention program based on the caregiver empowerment model (CEM) and apply it with the Korean caregivers to evaluate its effects. DESIGN AND SAMPLE The study population comprised 115 family caregivers (experimental group, n = 35, control group 1, n = 40, control group 2, n = 40). METHODS Using an experimental design with two control groups. The experimental group received a 12-week program including intensive counseling, education, and telephone calls. The control group 1 (CG1) received usual service. The control group 2 (CG2) was provided with a handbook during the first week. A mixed-effects model was used to clarify longitudinal changes in participants' outcomes. RESULTS The experimental group showed significantly increased caregiving appraisal (effect size in CG1 = -7.25; CG2 = -5.63), caregiving attitude (CG1 = -21.47; CG2 = -17.79), self-efficacy (CG1 = -12.42; CG2 = -10.12), and well-being (CG1 = -4.33; CG2 = -2.35) after the program. CONCLUSIONS The empowerment program can be used to promote family caregivers' positive adaptation and to help caregivers who care for PWD to effectively cope with their problems.
Longitudinal Analysis of the Microbiota Composition and Enterotypes of Pigs from Post-Weaning to Finishing

The present study aimed at investigating the evolution of pigs’ fecal microbiota composition from post-weaning to finishing in a longitudinal analysis. The experiment was conducted on 160 Pietrain × (Large White × Landrace) castrated male and female pigs in two replicates. Feces were collected at 52, 99, 119, 140, and 154 days of age for further 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze the microbiota composition. Pig microbiota evolved strongly from 52 to 99 days of age with an increased abundance of Streptococcaceae and a decreased abundance of Lactobacillaceae. During the finishing stage, microbiota kept evolving at a slower rate. To link the community structure to the performances, the fecal samples were clustered into enterotypes sharing a similar bacterial composition. At 52 days, two enterotypes dominated either by Lactobacillus or by Prevotella–Sarcina were identified. They differed from the two enterotypes determined from 99 to 154 days which were dominated either by Lactobacillus or by Turicibacter–Clostridium sensu stricto. During this time period, 75% of the pigs switched enterotypes. The enterotypes were not related to differences in the overall growth or feeding performance. The enterotype definition was time-dependent and seemed to be related to the sex type at 99 days of age.
Natural Root Cellular Variation in Responses to Osmotic Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana Accessions

Arabidopsis naturally occurring populations have allowed for the identification of considerable genetic variation remodeled by adaptation to different environments and stress conditions. Water is a key resource that limits plant growth, and its availability is initially sensed by root tissues. The root’s ability to adjust its physiology and morphology under water deficit makes this organ a useful model to understand how plants respond to water stress. Here, we used hyperosmotic shock stress treatments in different Arabidopsis accessions to analyze the root cell morphological responses. We found that osmotic stress conditions reduced root growth and root apical meristem (RAM) size, promoting premature cell differentiation without affecting the stem cell niche morphology. This phenotype was accompanied by a cluster of small epidermal and cortex cells with radial expansion and root hairs at the transition to the elongation zone. We also found this radial expansion with root hairs when plants are grown under hypoosmotic conditions. Finally, root growth was less affected by osmotic stress in the Sg-2 accession followed by Ws, Cvi-0, and Col-0; however, after a strong osmotic stress, Sg-2 and Cvi-0 were the most resilience accessions. The sensitivity differences among these accessions were not explained by stress-related gene expression. This work provides new cellular insights on the Arabidopsis root phenotypic variability and plasticity to osmotic stress.
Surgical Outcomes of Bony Batten Grafting Through Endonasal Septoplasty in the Correction of Caudal Septum Deviation.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency and usefulness of bony batten grafts through endonasal septoplasty in the correction of caudal septum deviations. METHOD In this case-controlled retrospective study, 65 patients who had bony batten graft procedure for the correction of caudal septum deviation using endonasal septoplasty with complete pre-operative and post-operative questionnaire information and complete post-operative follow-up data (an average follow-up period of 24.1 months) in our hospital in September 2013 and August 2018 period were evaluated. Nasal Obstruction Symptoms Evaluation (NOSE) scores of the patients before and after the operation were compared. Besides, severity of nasal symptoms (mouth dryness, hyposmia, rhinorrhea, epistaxis and snoring) before and after the operation was compared using visual analog scale (VAS). Complications which developed in post-operative period were also analyzed. FINDINGS Average age of the 65 patients (14 female and 51 male) was 27.6 ± 11.3. A straight septum was achieved in 57 patients (87.6%) in post-operative period while 8 patients (12.4%) had residual deviation. Average pre-operative NOSE score was 79.8 ± 22.3 while average post-operative NOSE score was 21.4 ± 4.6 and the difference was significant (P < 0.0001). Significant improvements were observed in VAS scores of all evaluated symptoms in post-operative period. Two patients developed septal hematoma in post-operative period. CONCLUSION Bony batten graft procedure through endonasal septoplasty is an efficient and useful method with low complication rate for the correction of deviation of caudal septum.
MiR-491 suppresses migration and invasion via directly targeting TPX2 in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE Breast cancer (BC) is one of the primary causes of tumor-related female mortalities. Although in recent years, we have made great progress in the systemic therapy and earlier diagnosis for BC patients, recurrence or distant metastasis remains leading obstacles for the successful therapy of BC. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the progression may be crucial in developing an effective strategy against BC. The current research aimed to explore the expressions, functions and molecular mechanism of microRNA-491 (miR-491) in BC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine the level of miR-491 expression in 52 pairs of BC tissues and para-cancerous specimens, and the relation between miR-491 level and the clinical features of BC patient prognosis was analyzed. Transwell invasion and migration assays were conducted to determine whether miR-491 had effects on the regulation of BC metastasis. Potential target genes of miR-491 were found out using TargetScan to explore the molecular functions of miR-491 in inhibiting breast cancer cell invasion and migration. To elucidate the mechanism of TPX2 in suppressing cell invasion and migration medicated by miR-491in breast cancer, we further transfected TPX2 siRNAs into MCF-7 cells to delete endogenous TPX2, along with the transfections with miR-491 inhibitor into MCF-7 cell lines. RESULTS The findings demonstrated that miR-491 expressions were significantly decreased in BC tissues and cells. The miR-491 restoration suppressed the invasion and migration of BC cells. In addition, we identified the targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) as a direct target of miR-491 in BC. The knockdown of TPX2 markedly reversed miR-491-medicated inhibition of cell invasion and migration in BC cell lines. CONCLUSIONS In short, all the results suggested that miR-491 functioned as a tumor suppressor by targeting TPX2 in BC and the miR-491 restoration may be an effective therapy for the BC treatment in the future.
Fuzzy System Dynamics Risk Analysis (FuSDRA) of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Operations in the Antarctic

With the maturing of autonomous technology and better accessibility, there has been a growing interest in the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The deployment of AUVs for under‐ice marine science research in the Antarctic is one such example. However, a higher risk of AUV loss is present during such endeavors due to the extreme operating environment. To control the risk of loss, existing risk analyses approaches tend to focus more on the AUV's technical aspects and neglect the role of soft factors, such as organizational and human influences. In addition, the dynamic and complex interrelationships of risk variables are also often overlooked due to uncertainties and challenges in quantification. To overcome these shortfalls, a hybrid fuzzy system dynamics risk analysis (FuSDRA) is proposed. In the FuSDRA framework, system dynamics models the interrelationships between risk variables from different dimensions and considers the time‐dependent nature of risk while fuzzy logic accounts for uncertainties. To demonstrate its application, an example based on an actual Antarctic AUV program is presented. Focusing on funding and experience of the AUV team, simulation of the FuSDRA risk model shows a declining risk of loss from 0.293 in the early years of the Antarctic AUV program, reaching a minimum of 0.206 before increasing again in later years. Risk control policy recommendations were then derived from the analysis. The example demonstrated how FuSDRA can be applied to inform funding and risk management strategies, or broader application both within the AUV domain and on other complex technological systems.
Association of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes with Homologous Recombination Deficiency and BRCA1/2 Status in Patients with Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Pooled Analysis

Purpose: Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) with homologous recombination deficient tumors achieve significantly higher pathologic complete response (pCR) rates when treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are prognostic and predictive of chemotherapy benefit in early stage TNBC. The relationship between TILs, BRCA1/2 mutation status, and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status in TNBC remains unclear. Experimental Design: We performed a pooled analysis of five phase II studies that included patients with TNBC treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy to evaluate the association of TILs with HRD status (Myriad Genetics) and tumor BRCA1/2 mutation status. Furthermore, the relationship between pathologic response assessed using the residual cancer burden (RCB) index and HRD status with adjustment for TILs was evaluated. Results: Among 161 patients, stromal TIL (sTIL) density was not significantly associated with HRD status (P = 0.107) or tumor BRCA1/2 mutation status (P = 0.391). In multivariate analyses, sTIL density [OR, 1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.94–1.61; P = 0.139] was not associated with pCR, but was associated with RCB 0/I status (OR 1.62; 95% CI, 1.20–2.28; P = 0.001). HRD was significantly associated with both pCR (OR 12.09; 95% CI, 4.11–44.29; P = 7.82 × 10−7) and RCB 0/I (OR 10.22; 95% CI, 4.11–28.75; P = 1.09 × 10−7) in these models. Conclusions: In patients with TNBC treated with neoadjuvant platinum-based therapy, TIL density was not significantly associated with either tumor BRCA1/2 mutation status or HRD status. In this pooled analysis, HRD and sTIL density were independently associated with treatment response, with HRD status being the strongest predictor.
Additional Online Supplement for “Inference for Approximate Factor Models: Random Missing and Cross Validation”

Proof of Lemma A.1. From the principal component analysis (PCA), we have the identity ( NT q̃2 )−1 X̃X̃ ′F̃ = F̃ D̃. Pre-multiplying both sides by T−1F̃ ′ and using the normalization T−1F̃ ′F̃ = IR yield T−1F̃ ′ ( NT q̃2 )−1 X̃X̃ ′F̃ = D̃. The lemma follows providedD =plimD̃, which we show below. Noting that X̃ = (F 0Λ0′ + ε) ◦G, we have D̃ = T−1F̃ ′ ( NT q̃ )−1 X̃X̃ ′F̃ = T−1F̃ ′ ( NT q̃ )−1 [ (F 0Λ0′ + ε) ◦G ] [ (F 0Λ0′ + ε) ◦G ]′ F̃ = T−1F̃ ′ ( NT q̃ )−1 [ (F 0Λ0′) ◦G ] [ (F 0Λ0′) ◦G ]′ F̃ + T−1F̃ ′ ( NT q̃ )−1 (ε ◦G) (ε ◦G)′F̃ +T−1F̃ ′ ( NT q̃ )−1 [ (F 0Λ0′) ◦G ] (ε ◦G)′F̃ + T−1F̃ ′ ( NT q̃ )−1 (ε ◦G)′ [ (F 0Λ0′) ◦G ]′ F̃
Endogenous CXCL9 affects prognosis by regulating tumor‐infiltrating natural killer cells in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

CXCL9, an IFN‐γ inducible chemokine, has been reported to play versatile roles in tumor‐host interrelationships. However, little is known about its role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Here, we aimed to elucidate the prognostic and biological implications of CXCL9 in iCCA. Endogenous CXCL9 expression and the number of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes were immunohistochemically assessed in resection specimens. These data were validated in mice treated by silencing CXCL9 with short hairpin RNA. In addition, the induction of endogenous CXCL9 and the effects of CXCL9 on tumor biological behaviors were evaluated in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that high CXCL9 expression was closely correlated with prolonged postoperative survival and a large number of tumor‐infiltrating natural killer (NK) cells. In fact, due to the trafficking of total and tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand‐expressing NK cells into tumors, CXCL9‐sufficient cells were less tumorigenic in the liver than CXCL9‐deficient cells in mice. Although CXCL9 involvement in tumor growth and invasion abilities differed across cell lines, it did not exacerbate these abilities in CXCL9‐expressing cell lines. We showed that CXCL9 was useful as a prognostic marker. Our findings also suggested that CXCL9 upregulation might offer a therapeutic strategy for treating CXCL9‐expressing iCCA by augmenting anti–tumor immune surveillance.
The Nigerian Twin and Sibling Registry: An Update

Abstract Here we provide an update of the 2013 report on the Nigerian Twin and Sibling Registry (NTSR). The major aim of the NTSR is to understand genetic and environmental influences and their interplay in psychological and mental health development in Nigerian children and adolescents. Africans have the highest twin birth rates among all human populations, and Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Due to its combination of large population and high twin birth rates, Nigeria has one of the largest twin populations in the world. In this article, we provide current updates on the NTSR samples recruited, recruitment procedures, zygosity assessment and findings emerging from the NTSR.
A Study of Electrocardiographic Changes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common global problem and most common medical problem carrying significant morbidity and mortality. Electrocardiography (ECG) carries information about cardiac disease and prognosis. So, the present study was undertaken with a view to assess ECG changes in patients with COPD. The observational study was carried out in the department of Pulmonary Medicine and General medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pillayarkuppum, Puducherry, India. Among 50 patients with COPD, ECG was done and the findings are noted. Out of 50 patients included in the study, right axis deviation is seen in 14 cases (28%), R/S ratio less than 1 in V6 is seen in 11 cases (22%), R/S ratio greater than 1 in V1 is seen in 8 cases (16%), P-pulmonale is seen in 10 cases (20%), ST segment depression in lead II, III, aVF is seen in 4 cases (8%), T wave inversion in leads V1-V3 is seen in 9 cases (18%), Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) is seen in 3 cases (6%), lead I sign is seen in 1 case (2 %), ventricular ectopics were seen in 2 cases (4%), Multifocal atrial tachycardia is seen in 1 case (2%), SI, SII, SIII pattern is seen in 1 case (2%). In the present study, ECG abnormalities suggestive of Right Ventricular Hypertrophy (RVH) were found in more than half of the patients included in study.
Environmental DNA Sequencing Reveals a Highly Complex Eukaryote Community in Sansha Yongle Blue Hole, Xisha, South China Sea

We report an Illumina high-throughput sequencing protocol of eukaryotic microbes in the world’s deepest marine blue hole, Sansha Yongle Blue Hole, Xisha, South China Sea. The variable V9 region of small subunit (SSU) rDNA, was sequenced using this approach from the waters of blue hole and outer reef slope. 917,771 unique eukaryotic 18S rRNA gene sequences and 6093 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. Significant differences in the eukaryotic composition were observed between the blue hole and outer reef slope, and the richness in the blue hole was much higher than that in the outer reef slope. The richness and diversity of eukaryotes in the blue hole were both lowest at 60 m and highest at 100 m depth. Eukaryotic microalgae assemblages dominated by Dinophyceae were the most abundant in the 10–20 m water column in the hole. Fauna was the main group at and below a depth of 60 m, where Araneae and Cyclopoida were dominant in the 60 m and 80 m water layer, respectively. There was a large number of Entoprocta at a depth of 180 m in the hole, where little oxygen was detected. Turbidity and nitrite concentration had a significant effect on the eukaryote community structure (p < 0.01).
Endosperm genome dosage, hybrid seed failure, and parental imprinting: sexual selection as an alternative to parental conflict.

The “vendange en vert” in French wine production consists of cutting some of the unripe grapes off the plant in the early season. By doing so, winegrowers ensure that the remaining fruits contain a higher amount of sugar and aromas (Anon, n.d.). The consequence of this practice shows that maternal plant resources are limited and that seeds/fruits compete for those resources. In outcrossing species, maternal plants are equally related to all of their offspring, but seeds may have different sires. This way of mating implies that paternal contributors compete for the maternal resources allocated to their respective progeny. The female, on the other hand, may have no or even opposite selective interest in this competition. This parental asymmetry is the basis for the kinship evolutionary theory (Haig and Westoby, 1989), which stipulates that male and female parents have antagonistic interests regarding resource allocation to progeny—a “selfish” paternal drive and an equitable maternal influence (Haig and Westoby, 1989).
Formulating amorphous solid dispersions: Impact of inorganic salts on drug release from tablets containing Itraconazole-HPMC extrudate.

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) are increasingly used to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble compounds. However, hydrophilic polymers in ASD have high water binding properties and, upon water contact, they often form a gel on the surface of the tablet impacting the rate and extent of drug release. Most inorganic salts decrease water solubility of organic solute, changing gel properties of hydrophilic polymer. In this study, the effect of inorganic salts on drug release from a tablet formulation containing an Itraconazole (ITZ)-HPMC extrudate was investigated. The cloud point of a 1% HPMC solution with and without inorganic salts (KCl, KH2PO4, KHCO3 and KI) was determined in order to classify the salts according to their salting-out or salting-in effect. A kosmotropic effect on HPMC was observed for KCl, KH2PO4 and KHCO3, whereas KI exhibited a chaotropic effect. In order to prove the effect of these salts on drug release, tablets containing 66% of ITZ-HPMC extrudate (20:80 w/w%), 4% croscarmellose sodium, 30% microcrystalline cellulose and different types and amounts of KHCO3, KH2PO4, KCl, and KI were compressed (same solid fraction of 0.83 - 0.85). Tablets without salts showed a slow release and low peak concentrations during dissolution in simulated gastric fluids. By adding the kosmotropic salts to the tablets, the rate and extent of drug release were increased, whereas the chaotropic anion iodide had no effect. The effect was pronounced even with the addition of as little as 2% of inorganic salts and tended to increase with increasing amount of salt in the formulation. Tablets without salt stored under either dry or humid conditions exhibited a large difference in dissolution profiles, whereas little variation was observed for tablets with kosmotropic salts. In conclusion, the effect of inorganic salt was mechanistically clarified on ASD containing commonly used HPMC. This approach can be beneficial to successfully develop robust formulations containing ASD.