Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Validation of an Apoptosis-Related Gene Prognostic Signature for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

To identify an apoptosis-related gene (ARG) prediction model for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we analyzed and validated the data from TCGA and GEO, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and ROC curves showed a good prognostic ability of the model both in the internal training set and in the external testing set. Furthermore, we built a nomogram using these ARGs to forecast the survival probability of OSCC patients. Moreover, we evaluated the rate of immune cells infiltrating in the tumor samples and found obvious, different patterns between the high and low risk groups. GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated multiple molecular biological processes and signaling pathways connecting with this prognostic model in OSCC. The expression of these risk genes in clinical specimens was higher in the non-survival patients than in the well-survival patients by immunohistochemical staining analysis. In conclusion, we established a signature made up of six risk apoptosis-related genes to predict the survival rate of OSCC. These genes could also be targets for the treatment of OSCC.
Trends in Intake and Outcome Data From U.S. Animal Shelters From 2016 to 2020

In this retrospective, exploratory study, intake and outcome data were compiled from 1,373 U.S. animal shelters for which such data were reported consistently across a five-year study period (2016–2020). Linear regression analysis was used to examine the five-year trends and the impacts of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) on the overall trends in intake and outcomes in U.S. animal shelters. The results of the analysis reveal that total intake and euthanasia for both dogs and cats significantly decreased over the study period. The adoption, return-to-owner, return-to-field, and transfer (for cats) categories as a percentage of intake all showed significant increases. Live release rates as a function of total intakes and total outcomes for both dogs and cats showed significant increases over the study period. The findings from this study address a critical gap in the field by summarizing emerging trends at the national level in how cats and dogs are being served in U.S. animal shelters.
Energy-Adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index Is Associated With 5-Year All Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background Diet management is a pivotal intervention for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Dietary inflammation index (DII) is developed to evaluate the integral inflammatory potential of a diet pattern. However, research about the association between DII and mortality in CKD is limited. Objective We conducted a cohort study to investigate the relationship between energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) and the 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in CKD population. Materials and Methods CKD participants with complete E-DII data and death status from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2014) were involved in this study. E-DII was calculated based on dietary recall interviews. Smooth curve fitting, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between E-DII and the 5-year all cause and cardiovascular mortality. Subgroup analysis was also performed. Results A total of 7,207 participants were included (55.46% elderly and 46.54% male) in this study. The 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 16.86 and 4.32%, respectively. Smooth curve fitting showed a “J” shape and near linear relationship between the E-DII score and the 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. In multivariate Cox proportional hazards models, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for the highest tertile of the E-DII were 1.33 (1.15, 1.54) for all-cause mortality, and 1.54 (1.15, 2.07) for cardiovascular mortality when compared with the lowest tertile of the E-DII. The subgroup analyses revealed relatively stronger associations between the E-DII and the mortality among CKD patients with other death risk factors. Conclusions Energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index is independently related with the 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among CKD patients. Therefore, anti-inflammatory diet patterns should be recommended for CKD patients.
The Effects of Reconditioning Exercises Following Prolonged Bed Rest on Lumbopelvic Muscle Volume and Accumulation of Paraspinal Muscle Fat

Reduced muscle size and accumulation of paraspinal muscle fat content (PFC) have been reported in lumbopelvic muscles after spaceflights and head-down tilt (HDT) bed rest. While some information is available regarding reconditioning programs on muscle atrophy recovery, the effects on the accumulation of PFC are unknown. Recently, a device (the Functional Re-adaptive Exercise Device—FRED) has been developed which aims to specifically recruit lumbopelvic muscles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a standard reconditioning (SR) program and SR program supplemented by FRED (SR + FRED) on the recovery of the lumbopelvic muscles following 60-day HDT bed rest. Twenty-four healthy participants arrived at the facility for baseline data collection (BDC) before the bed rest period. They remained in the facility for 13-day post-HDT bed rest and were randomly allocated to one of two reconditioning programs: SR or SR + FRED. Muscle volumes of the lumbar multifidus (LM), lumbar erector spinae (LES), quadratus lumborum (QL), and psoas major (PM) muscles were measured from axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at all lumbar intervertebral disc levels. PFC was determined using a chemical shift-based lipid/water Dixon sequence. Each lumbopelvic muscle was segmented into four equal quartiles (from medial to lateral). MRI of the lumbopelvic region was conducted at BDC, Day-59 of bed rest (HDT59), and Day-13 after reconditioning (R13). Comparing R13 with BDC, the volumes of the LM muscle at L4/L5 and L5/S1, LES at L1/L2, and QL at L3/L4 had not recovered (all—p < 0.05), and the PM muscle remained larger at L1/L2 (p = 0.001). Accumulation of PFC in the LM muscle at the L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels remained higher in the centro-medial regions at R13 than BDC (all—p < 0.05). There was no difference between the two reconditioning programs. A 2-week reconditioning program was insufficient to fully restore all volumes of lumbopelvic muscles and reverse the accumulation of PFC in the muscles measured to BDC values, particularly in the LM muscle at the lower lumbar levels. These findings suggest that more extended reconditioning programs or alternative exercises may be necessary to fully restore the size and properties of the lumbopelvic muscles after prolonged bed rest.
Assessing Workplace Bullying and Its Outcomes: The Paradoxical Role of Perceived Power Imbalance Between Target and Perpetrator

This study investigates the role of perceived power relation between target and perpetrator regarding victimization and turnover intent following exposure to bullying behavior at the workplace. We hypothesized that (1) targets of bullying behavior who self-label as victims experiences a larger power imbalance with the perpetrator compared to targets who do not self-label as victims, and (2) that the association between exposure to bullying behavior and intent to leave the job is stronger when there is power balance between target and perpetrator than when there is a power imbalance. The hypotheses were tested in a probability sample of employees working in the child welfare service in Oslo municipality, Norway, and that had been exposed to at least one instance of mistreatment from a colleague at their workplace (N = 374). Targets of bullying behavior whom self-labeled as victims reported a larger power imbalance with the perpetrator. Supporting the study hypothesis, and representing a reverse buffering effect, exposure to bullying behavior was most strongly associated with intent to leave among targets in power balance with the perpetrator. For targets in a perceived power imbalance, both low and high exposure to bullying behavior were associated with higher levels of intent to leave. These findings highlight the importance of implementing measures directed at preventing bullying and other forms of mistreatment, irrespective of the power relation between the two parties.
Brand Knowledge and Organizational Loyalty as Antecedents of Employee-Based Brand Equity: Mediating Role of Organizational Culture

This study tends to explore the impact of brand knowledge and organizational loyalty under the mediating role of organizational culture on employee-based brand equity (EBBE). For this purpose, employees of the hospitality sector were contacted to collect data through personally administrated questionnaires. Already established scales were used to devise instruments. Data were collected in two waves to minimize the common method bias. In the first wave, a total of 600 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 400 were received back, while in the second wave, remaining respondents were approached who have filled the survey in the first wave, and only 320 were received back, from which the partial and incomplete questionnaires were discarded, and at the end, 306 questionnaires were left. These final and completed responses were used for the data analysis and inferential purpose in this study. Collected data have been analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling by using Smart PLS 3 software. The assessment of measurement and structural model indicated a good model fit, and results indicate that EBBE is influenced by organizational loyalty and brand knowledge positively. Moreover, the mediating role of organizational culture has also been proved.
Epigenetic and Transcriptomic Regulation Landscape in HPV+ Cancers: Biological and Clinical Implications

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an oncogenic virus that causes the highest number of viral-associated cancer cases and deaths worldwide, with more than 690,000 new cases per year and 342,000 deaths only for cervical cancer (CC). Although the incidence and mortality rates for CC are declining in countries where screening and vaccination programs have been implemented, other types of cancer in which HPV is involved, such as oropharyngeal cancer, are increasing, particularly in men. Mutational and transcriptional profiles of various HPV-associated neoplasms have been described, and accumulated evidence has shown the oncogenic capacity of E6, E7, and E5 genes of high-risk HPV. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis has revealed that although a vast majority of the human genome is transcribed into RNAs, only 2% of transcripts are translated into proteins. The remaining transcripts lacking protein-coding potential are called non-coding RNAs. In addition to the transfer and ribosomal RNAs, there are regulatory non-coding RNAs classified according to size and structure in long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and small RNAs; such as microRNAs (miRNAs), piwi-associated RNAs (piRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and endogenous short-interfering RNAs. Recent evidence has shown that lncRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs are aberrantly expressed under pathological conditions such as cancer. In addition, those transcripts are dysregulated in HPV-related neoplasms, and their expression correlates with tumor progression, metastasis, poor prognosis, and recurrence. Nuclear lncRNAs are epigenetic regulators involved in controlling gene expression at the transcriptional level through chromatin modification and remodeling. Moreover, disruption of the expression profiles of those lncRNAs affects multiple biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. This review highlights the epigenetic alterations induced by HPV, from infection to neoplastic transformation. We condense the epigenetic role of non-coding RNA alterations and their potential as biomarkers in transformation’s early stages and clinical applications. We also summarize the molecular mechanisms of action of nuclear lncRNAs to understand better their role in the epigenetic control of gene expression and how they can drive the malignant phenotype of HPV-related neoplasia. Finally, we review several chemical and epigenetic therapy options to prevent and treat HPV-associated neoplasms.
Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Ultrasound Classification of Cervical Tuberculous Lymphadenitis

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the ultrasound (US) classification of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (CTL). Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 70 patients diagnosed with CTL. All patients underwent both conventional US and CEUS. Both methods were compared to determine their agreement with pathological CTL results. Results The results of conventional US classification were as follows: 18 patients (25.7%) were type I, 25 patients (35.7%) type II, 21 patients (30.0%) type III, and 6 patients (8.6%) type IV, respectively. The results of CEUS classification were as follows: 9 patients (12.9%) were type I, 33 patients (47.1%) type II, 22 patients (31.4%) type III, and 6 patients (8.6%) type IV. Conventional US classification and pathological results showed moderate agreement in terms of US classification results for CTL (Kappa = 0.693); the accuracy of conventional US classification was 78.6% (55/70), and the accuracy of types II and III were 71.0% (22/31) and 82.6% (19/23), respectively. CEUS classification and pathological results showed strong agreement (Kappa = 0.871); the accuracy of CEUS classification was 91.4% (64/70), and the accuracy of types II and III were 93.6% (29/31) and 87.0% (20/23), respectively. Conclusion In combined with conventional US, CEUS could provide more information on blood flow enhancement patterns and identify the area of lymph node necrosis in CTL. This could contribute to a more accurate US classification of CTL.
Feasibility of Supplying Ruminally Protected Lysine and Methionine to Periparturient Dairy Cows on the Efficiency of Subsequent Lactation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplying ruminally protected Lys (RPL) and ruminally protected Met (RPM) to transition cows' diets on the efficiency of subsequent lactation. A total of 120 prepartum Holstein cows were assigned into four treatments blocked by the anticipated calving date, previous lactation milk yield, number of lactations, and body condition score and fed either RPL, RPM, or the combination (RPML) or control diet (CON) throughout the transition period (3 weeks before till 3 weeks after calving). From 22 to 150 days in milk (DIM), all animals (100 cows) were fed a combination of RPM and RPL (0.17% RPM and 0.41% RPL of DM; n = 25 cows/treatment) as follows; CON–RPML, RPM–RPML, RPL–RPML, and RPML–RPML. Milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured daily; milk and blood samples were taken at 21, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 DIM. Supplemented amino acids (AA) were mixed with the premix and added to the total mixed ration during the experiment. DMI (p < 0.001) and energy-corrected milk (ECM, p = 0.04) were higher for cows that were fed RPML–RPML than other cows. Compared with CON–RPML, yields of milk total protein, lactose, and nitrogen efficiency were increased (p < 0.01), whereas milk urea nitrogen (MUN; p = 0.002) was decreased for other treatments. However, supplemental AA did not affect milk lactose percentage, fat yield, feed efficiency, or serum total protein concentration (p > 0.10). Transition cows that consumed AA had a greater peak of milk yield (p < 0.01), as well as quickly reached the peak of milk (p < 0.004). There were differences in β-hydroxybutyrate concentration during the early lactation, with a lower level for AA groups (p < 0.05), and the difference faded with the progression of lactation (p > 0.10). Fertility efficiency as measured by pregnancy rate was improved by supplemental AA during the perinatal period (p < 0.05). In conclusion, transition cows consumed RPM and RPL, increased post-calving DMI, milk production, milk protein yield, nitrogen efficiency, and improved fertility performance.
Effects of Diet on the Gut Microbial Communities of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Across Their Different Life Stages

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most important commercial freshwater fish in China, and dietary transition occurs in their different life stages. The gut microbiota is important to host health. The relationships among the diet, gut microbiota, and development of tilapia are not well known. In the present study, we attempted to understand how diet is associated with microbiota community dynamics during the development of tilapia. The first experiment was performed under standard laboratory feeding operation to determine the effect of diet transition on intestinal microbiota. In the second experiment, tilapia were fed with Artemia or plant-based dry (PBD) food from the fish started feeding to their late juvenile stage (90 days post-fertilization). The results in the first experiment showed that feeding habit transition in juvenile fish had a low effect on the microbiota of the tilapia intestine. In the second experiment, plant-based food negatively affected the survival rate and intestinal development of tilapia. The phylum Planctomycetes was dominant in juvenile fish fed PBD food. The phylum Fusobacteria was dominant in the juvenile fish fed Artemia. At the genus level, Gemmobacter, Pirellula, and Planctomyces, belonging to the phylum Planctomycetes, were significantly abundant in the guts of fish fed the PBD food diet. Cetobacterium of the phylum Fusobacteria was dominant in juvenile fish fed Artemia. Thus, we can conclude that diet types have a great effect on the microbiota of tilapia intestine in their early life stages. The intestinal microflora of tilapia was established in juvenile tilapia, approximately 2 months after hatching. Our results provide useful information for the experimental design of studies on the microbial community of the tilapia gut. We suggest that modulation of gut microbiota of tilapia could be performed in their early life.
Magnetic Resonance Enterography and Histology in Patients With Fibrostenotic Crohn's Disease: A Multicenter Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is useful for detecting bowel strictures, while a number of imaging biomarkers may reflect severity of fibrosis burden in Crohn’s disease (CD). This study aimed to verify association of MRE metrics with histologic fibrosis independent of inflammation. Methods: This prospective European multicenter study performed MRE imaging on 60 CD patients with bowel strictures prior to surgical resection. Locations of 61 histological samples were annotated on MRE examinations, followed by central readings using the Chiorean score and measurement of delayed gain of enhancement (DGE), magnetization transfer ratio (MTR), T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences (T2R), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and the magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA). Correlations of histology and MRE metrics were assessed. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to select composite MRE scores predictive of histology and to estimate their predictive value. Results: ADC and MaRIA correlated with fibrosis (R=-0.71, P<0.0001, and 0.59, P<0.001) and more moderately with inflammation (R=-0.35, P<0.01, and R=0.53, P<0.001). Lower or no correlations of fibrosis or inflammation were found with DGE, MTR, or T2R. LASSO and ROC identified a composite score of MaRIA, ADC, and DGE as a very good predictor of histologic fibrosis (ROCAUC=0.910). MaRIA alone was the best predictor of histologic inflammation with excellent performance in identifying active histologic inflammation (ROCAUC=0.966). Discussion: MRE-based scores for histologic fibrosis and inflammation may assist in the characterization of CD stenosis and enable development of fibrosis-targeted therapies and clinical treatment of stenotic patients.
Osteoplastic Thumb Reconstruction in the Immediate Setting: A Case Series

Background: Traumatic thumb amputation can have devastating effects on residual hand function. When replantation is not possible, thumb reconstruction is often performed in a delayed manner and may require multiple stages. Furthermore, reconstruction techniques often require microsurgical skills and equipment, which are not readily available at all institutions. This case series illustrates our technique for immediate osteoplastic thumb reconstruction following traumatic amputation. Methods: This is a case series involving all patients who sustained unreplantable thumb amputations and underwent immediate osteoplastic thumb reconstruction with bone autograft and pedicled groin flap by the senior author from September 2016 through August 2018. Results: Five patients underwent immediate osteoplastic thumb reconstruction during the study period. Total operative time for the initial osteoplastic reconstruction averaged 158 minutes (range 96–290 minutes). In addition to flap division surgery, patients underwent an average of 1.2 revision procedures (range 0–2), primarily for debulking and hardware removal. Patients achieved an average gain in length of 3.3 cm compared with the maximum anticipated length with revision amputation at the time of injury, and had stable clinical outcomes for a minimum of 12 months. Conclusions: Osteoplastic thumb reconstruction is a useful technique for thumb reconstruction for select patients following traumatic thumb amputation. Advantages of this approach include shorter overall operative times and hospital length of stay, minimal donor site morbidity, and a straightforward, reproducible technique.