Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Interpretable Model-Based Prediction of Severity and Crucial Factors in Patients with COVID-19

This study established an interpretable machine learning model to predict the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and output the most crucial deterioration factors. Clinical information, laboratory tests, and chest computed tomography (CT) scans at admission were collected. Two experienced radiologists reviewed the scans for the patterns, distribution, and CT scores of lung abnormalities. Six machine learning models were established to predict the severity of COVID-19. After parameter tuning and performance comparison, the optimal model was explained using Shapley Additive explanations to output the crucial factors. This study enrolled and classified 198 patients into mild (n = 162; 46.93 ± 14.49 years old) and severe (n = 36; 60.97 ± 15.91 years old) groups. The severe group had a higher temperature (37.42 ± 0.99°C vs. 36.75 ± 0.66°C), CT score at admission, neutrophil count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio than the mild group. The XGBoost model ranked first among all models, with an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.924, 90.91%, and 97.96%, respectively. The early stage of chest CT, total CT score of the percentage of lung involvement, and age were the top three contributors to the prediction of the deterioration of XGBoost. A higher total score on chest CT had a more significant impact on the prediction. In conclusion, the XGBoost model to predict the severity of COVID-19 achieved excellent performance and output the essential factors in the deterioration process, which may help with early clinical intervention, improve prognosis, and reduce mortality.
Motor Function Assessment of Upper Limb in Stroke Patients

Background Quantitative assessment of motor function is extremely important for poststroke patients as it can be used to develop personalized treatment strategies. This study aimed to propose an evaluation method for upper limb motor function in stroke patients. Methods Thirty-four stroke survivors and twenty-five age-matched healthy volunteers as the control group were recruited for this study. Inertial sensor data and surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were collected from the upper limb during voluntary upward reaching. Five features included max shoulder joint angle, peak and average speeds, torso balance calculated from inertial sensor data, and muscle synergy similarity extracted from sEMG data by the nonnegative matrix factorization algorithm. Meanwhile, the Fugl–Meyer score of each patient was graded by professional rehabilitation therapist. Results Statistically significant differences were observed among severe, mild-to-moderate, and control group of five features (p ≤ 0.001). The features varied as the level of upper limb motor function changes since these features significantly correlated with the Fugl–Meyer assessment scale (p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the Bland–Altman method was conducted and showed high consistency between the evaluation method of five features and Fugl–Meyer scale. Therefore, the five features proposed in this paper can quantitatively evaluate the motor function of stroke patients which is very useful in the rehabilitation process.
Effects of silane coupling agents on the vulcanization characteristics of natural rubber

The vulcanization characteristics of silica-filled natural rubber (NR) were studied in the presence of silane coupling agents, 3-octanoylthio-1-propyltriethoxysilane (NXT) and bis [(3-triethoxysilylpropyl) tetra sulfide] (TESPT, or Si-69). The scorch time, cure rate index, and the rate constant of NR were measured using an Oscillating Disk Rheometer in the temperature range of 140–170°C. The scorch time of NR decreases with increasing TESPT and NXT concentrations, and the scorch time of NR compound with NXT is longer than that with TESPT. The apparent activation energies of vulcanization for the compounds with NXT and TESPT both decrease with increasing silane concentration. The apparent activation energy of vulcanization of NR compound with NXT is lower than that with TESPT at various concentrations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1511–1518, 2004
Investigating the Usefulness of European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for Hospitalization in Acute Pericarditis at a Single Tertiary Center

Background The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases identify predictive factors of poor prognosis and advise either in favor or against hospitalization accordingly. We aim to evaluate the adequacy of hospitalization criteria in a cohort of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute pericarditis. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to ED with acute pericarditis, from 2009 to 2019. During ED stay, all patients were evaluated by a cardiologist who decided if the patient was to be discharged or hospitalized. Hospitalized and discharged patients were compared regarding the primary outcome, defined by a composite of: the need for pericardiocentesis and/or cardiac surgery, pericarditis recurrence, and all-cause death. The clinical decision was then counterpoised with ESC guidelines. Results A total of 192 patients were included in the analysis (median age 44.5 years old, 83.3% male) of which 87 (45.5%) were hospitalized. A total of 25% registered the primary outcome, mainly due to acute pericarditis recurrence, occurring in 21.9%. Predictors of recurrence were: glucocorticoid therapy (Odds Ratio [OR]=11.93, 95% Confidence Inirtval [CI] 3.13-45.5, p<0.001), fever at admission (OR=2.67, 95% CI 1.29-5.49, p=0.008), immunosuppression (OR=4.03, 95% CI 1.280-12.659, p=0.017) and increased cardiothoracic index (OR 3.85, CI 95% 1.67-8.86, p=0.002). Regarding hospitalisation/discharge decision, the ESC guidelines were respected in 73.4% of the cases. However, no significant difference in the primary outcome was noted whether the ESC guidelines were respected or not (27.5% vs. 24.3%, p=0.707). Conclusions Discrepancy between current guidelines and the clinical decision did not translate into a different outcome.
Reconsidering LINE-1’s role in cancer: does LINE-1 function as a reporter detecting early cancer-associated epigenetic signatures?

Abstract Long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) is the only autonomously active retrotransposon in humans. While L1 has been implicated in several pathologies and the aging process, I present a model which challenges an understanding of L1 as predominantly antagonistic to human health. I hypothesize that L1 serves as a reporter in an early cancer alert system: a tripwire strung throughout the genome poised to trigger p53 and a type I interferon (IFN-1) response when the epigenetic landscape portends cancer. Cell proliferation and a shift to aerobic glycolysis cause dramatic changes in the epigenome which are permissive to L1’s escape from suppression. L1 has several properties which make it particularly apt to fulfill this hypothesized sentinel function. Being present in many copies spread throughout the genome allows it to monitor many regions for epigenetic instability and renders it robust to deactivation by mutation. This proposed cancer alert system would alter the cancer cell fitness landscape discouraging the use of growth-favoring aerobic glycolysis by threatening the activation of tumor-suppressive mechanisms. It also imposes costs on a strategy of non-specific global transcriptional derepression aimed at activating oncogenes. Erroneous activations of this system are predicted to increase the rate of aging, suggesting this represents a case of antagonistic pleiotropy trading prolonged youth for cancer prevention. More research is needed to assess this model. Lay summary: During carcinogenesis the epigenome is remodeled by the Warburg effect and cellular proliferation. These processes globally relax chromatin. This epigenetic environment is permissive to the retrotransposon long interspersed nuclear element-1’s (LINE-1 or L1) escape from suppression. I hypothesize and present evidence for the notion that L1 has been co-opted to serve as a reporter in an early cancer alert system, poised to trigger tumor suppressive mechanisms when the epigenetic landscape portends cancer. This hypothesis describes a potentially major means by which transformation is thwarted early on.
ANTI-TERMITE ACTIVITY OF HEARTWOOD OF DALBERGIA SISSO

Objective: The present study aimed to study the termite repellency of the crude extract of heartwood of Dalbergia sisso Roxb. ex DC. tree using several solvents. Method: The extraction was done according to the standard method of Soxhlet extraction followed by Column chromatography and Anti termite activity. Result: The chloroform extract possesses highest potential which was further fractionated. 0.2% concentration of a fraction Chloroform: Methanol (99:1) showed anti-termite activity up to 92%. Conclusion: The plant extracts can be used as an alternative for synthetic pesticides for termite control in buildings.
A Novel Synergistic Association of Variants in PTRH2 and KIF1A Relates to a Syndrome of Hereditary Axonopathy, Outer Hair Cell Dysfunction, Intellectual Disability, Pancreatic Lipomatosis, Diabetes, Cerebellar Atrophy, and Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia

The gene PTRH2 encodes a protein with peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase activity and is involved in the translation process in protein synthesis. The kinesin family member 1-A (KIF1A) gene encodes a molecular motor involved in axonal transport along microtubules. Mutations in these genes lead to respective phenotypical conditions that have been reported in the literature. In this paper, we present a novel syndrome of concurrent occurrence of mutations in the PTRH2 and KIF1A genes in a 19-year-old girl of Dravidian-Tamil descent from the Southern part of India. The girl presented with global developmental delay, intellectual disability, weakness of upper and lower limbs, and diabetes. On workup, she was found to have severe peripheral axonopathy, outer hair cell (OHC) dysfunction, severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), total pancreatic lipomatosis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, cerebellar atrophy, vertebral artery hypoplasia, and scoliosis. The patient had a deceased elder sibling who also had had a similar phenotype. Whole exome sequencing (WES) revealed a novel variant in the PTRH2 gene and a rare variant in the KIF1A gene. The predominant axonal involvement seen in our patient, which was attributable to KIF1A involvement, distinguishes this syndrome from the infantile-onset multisystem neurologic, endocrine, and pancreatic disease (IMNEPD) caused by PTRH2 involvement alone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the medical literature of a syndrome caused by the synergistic occurrence of mutations in the PTRH2 and KIF1A genes. In order to provide more clarity on the genetic and clinical features of such syndromes and to aid the treating clinician to recognize the existence of such syndromes, we propose the broader umbrella term “neuro-pancreatic syndromes” (NPS). Presently, under NPS, we include two entities: the syndrome described by us in this paper and the IMNEPD. Prompt and effective recognition and management of such NPS would immensely benefit the patient in terms of treatment and prognosis. Furthermore, we hope that this paper will promote further understanding of NPS and foster more research, both clinical and genetic, which would widen the spectrum of NPS. Eventually, this would throw more light on treatment options and ultimately benefit patients with NPS.
The regulatory roles and mechanisms of the transcription factor FOXF2 in human diseases

Many studies have focused on the relationship between transcription factors and a variety of common pathological conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, and cancer. It has been found that abnormal transcription factor regulation can lead to aberrant expression of downstream genes, which contributes to the occurrence and development of many diseases. The forkhead box (FOX) transcription factor family is encoded by the FOX gene, which mediates gene transcription and follow-up functions during physiological and pathological processes. FOXF2, a member of the FOX transcription family, is expressed in various organs and tissues while maintaining their normal structural and functional development during the embryonic and adult stages. Multiple regulatory pathways that regulate FOXF2 may also be controlled by FOXF2. Abnormal FOXF2 expression induced by uncontrollable regulatory signals mediate the progression of human diseases by interfering with the cell cycle, proliferation, differentiation, invasion, and metastasis. FOXF2 manipulates downstream pathways and targets as both a pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic factor across different types of cancer, suggesting it may be a new potential clinical marker or therapeutic target for cancer. However, FOXF2’s biological functions and specific roles in cancer development remain unclear. In this study, we provide an overview of FOXF2’s structure, function, and regulatory mechanisms in the physiological and pathological conditions of human body. We also discussed the possible reasons why FOXF2 performs the opposite function in the same types of cancer.
MANAGING THE COVID-19 INFODEMIC: PROMOTING HEALTHY BEHAVIOURS AND MITIGATING THE HARM FROM MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION

Mis- and disinformation can be harmful to people’s physical and mental health;increase stigmatization;threaten precious health gains;and lead to poor observance of public health measures, thus reducing their effectiveness and endangering countries’ ability to stop the pandemic Furthermore, disinformation is polarizing public debate on topics related to COVID-19;amplifying hate speech;heightening the risk of conflict, violence and human rights violations;and threatening long-terms prospects for advancing democracy, human rights and social cohesion The Resolution recognizes that managing the infodemic is a critical part of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic: it calls on Member States to provide reliable COVID-19 content, take measures to counter mis- and disinformation and leverage digital technologies across the response
A psychrometric model to assess the biological decay of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aerosols

There is increasing evidence that the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been influenced by variations in air temperature and humidity. However, the impact that these environmental parameters have on survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not been fully characterised. Therefore, an analytical study was undertaken using published data to develop a psychrometric model to assess the biological decay rate of the virus in aerosols. This revealed that it is possible to describe with reasonable accuracy (R2 = 0.718, p < 0.001) the biological decay constant for the SARS-CoV-2 virus using a regression model with enthalpy, vapour pressure and specific volume as predictors. Applying this to historical meteorological data from London, Paris and Milan over the pandemic period, produced results which indicate that the average half-life of the virus in aerosols outdoors was in the region 13–22 times longer in March 2020, when the outbreak was accelerating, than it was in August 2020 when epidemic in Europe was at its nadir. However, indoors, this variation is likely to be much less. As such, this suggests that changes in virus survivability due the variations in the psychrometric qualities of the air might influence the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Scapania ampliata Steph., 1897 (Scapaniaceae, Jungermanniales)

Abstract Scapania ampliata Steph. is the endemic species in East Asia. To investigate intraspecific variations on mitochondrial genomes of S. ampliata, we completed mitochondrial genome of S. ampliata isolated in Korea. It is 143,664 bp long and contains 73 genes (41 protein-coding genes, three rRNAs, 28 tRNAs, and one pseudogene). 823 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; 0.057%) and 2,242 insertions and deletions were identified between two S. ampliata mitochondrial genomes, which is large number of intraspecific variations in comparison to the other cases of Bryophyte mitochondrial genomes. Phylogenetic trees show that S. ampliata is clustered with those of two Scapania species with high supportive values.
Analysis of mobility homophily in Stockholm based on social network data

We present a novel metric for measuring relative connection between parts of a city using geotagged Twitter data as a proxy for co-occurrence of city residents. We find that socioeconomic similarity is a significant predictor of this connectivity metric, which we call “linkage strength”: neighborhoods that are similar to one another in terms of residents’ median income, education level, and (to a lesser extent) immigration history are more strongly connected in terms of the of people who spend time there, indicating some level of homophily in the way that individuals choose to move throughout a city’s districts.
Psychometric properties of the Kannada version of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA)

Abstract Objective This study aimed to validate the translated Kannada version of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire for hearing aid users. Design The original (English) and the translated versions of the IOI-HA questionnaire along with the Self-Assessment of Communication (SAC) were self-administered by hearing aid users. To examine test-retest reliability, 50% of the study participants completed the Kannada IOI-HA for a second time approximately 15 days later. The data analyses examined various psychometric properties using a predetermined quality criterion. Study sample 105 Kannada-English bilingual adults using hearing aids. Results Factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure that explained a 61.8% variance in the IOI-HA. A Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.7 indicated acceptable internal consistency. Good test-retest reliability (Interclass Correlation Coefficient > 0.9) was obtained for both conditions (i.e. between the original English and translated Kannada versions and also between two different administrations of the Kannada IOI-HA questionnaire). Divergent validity test results were acceptable, and no ceiling or floor effects were noted. Convergent validity testing of the SAC, however, was poor with small correlation, although the direction of correlation (i.e. negative) was as expected. Conclusion Results suggest acceptable psychometric properties of the Kannada version of the IOI-HA questionnaire.
Silsesquioxanes: Recent Advancement and Novel Applications

1Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan 2Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, USA 3Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan 4Electronics Solutions S&T, Dow Corning, Ichihara, Chiba 299-0108, Japan 5Electronic Material Research Division, Osaka Municipal Technical Research Institute, Osaka, Osaka 536-8553, Japan 6Department of Chemistry and Materials Technology, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
An RNA tagging approach for system-wide RNA-binding proteome profiling and dynamics investigation upon transcription inhibition

Abstract RNA-protein interactions play key roles in epigenetic, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation. To reveal the regulatory mechanisms of these interactions, global investigation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and monitor their changes under various physiological conditions are needed. Herein, we developed a psoralen probe (PP)-based method for RNA tagging and ribonucleic-protein complex (RNP) enrichment. Isolation of both coding and noncoding RNAs and mapping of 2986 RBPs including 782 unknown candidate RBPs from HeLa cells was achieved by PP enrichment, RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis. The dynamics study of RNPs by PP enrichment after the inhibition of RNA synthesis provides the first large-scale distribution profile of RBPs bound to RNAs with different decay rates. Furthermore, the remarkably greater decreases in the abundance of the RBPs obtained by PP-enrichment than by global proteome profiling suggest that PP enrichment after transcription inhibition offers a valuable way for large-scale evaluation of the candidate RBPs.
Impact of modulus of elasticity of silicone hydrogel contact lenses on meibomian glands morphology and function

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance: It is important to investigate the effect of modulus of silicone hydrogel contact lens on meibomian glands. Evaluating meibomian gland health and function in follow-up appointments should be considered, with the option of changing lens modulus. Background: To evaluate and compare the effect of modulus of elasticity of silicone hydrogel contact lenses on morphological and functional parameters of the meibomian glands. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on soft silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers of different modulus of elasticity and age and gender-matched controls. Morphological and functional parameters were assessed along with standard patient evaluation of the eye dryness questionnaire. Results: A statistically significant difference was noted in meibomian gland loss in the upper lid (percent) between the low modulus (18.23 ± 6.63) and high modulus group (27.40 ± 10.21) (p < 0.001) and between high modulus (27.40 ± 10.21) and non-contact lens wearers (19.57 ± 7.65) (p = 0.001). The current study reported significantly higher total meiboscore grading in the high modulus group 3 (2-3) compared to the low modulus 2(2-3) (p = 0.007) and non-contact lens wearing groups 2 (2-3) (p = 0.012). Meibum quality was significantly compromised in the high modulus group 1 (0-1) compared to the low modulus 0 (0-0.75) group (p = 0.01). Standard patient evaluation of the eye dryness questionnaire was found to be significantly higher (p = 0.01) in high modulus 4 (2-8) compared to low modulus wearers 2 (2-4). A significant difference was noted (p < 0.001) in corneal staining grading only between high modulus 0 (0-1) and non-contact lens wearers 0 (0-0) group. A positive correlation was noted in the low modulus group between total meiboscore and meibomian gland expressibility (Rs = +0.69, p < 0.001) and also noted between standard patient evaluation of the eye dryness questionnaire scoring and meibomian gland expressibility (Rs = +0.45, p = 0.012) in the high modulus group. Conclusion: Higher modulus of elasticity of silicone hydrogel contact lens may influence meibomian gland morphology and function over a period of contact lens wear.
A Spirocyclic Chiral Borate for Catalytic Enantioselective Nozaki-Hiyama Allylation of Ketones

A new class of chiral spirocyclic borate ligands 5a-d with a rigid borocycle has been developed. The catalyst formed from chromium(II)-5a promotes the highly efficient enantioselective Nozaki-Hiyama allylation of alkyl and aryl ketones using allyl bromide. The scope of the present method is shown to be wide, and it affords an efficient access to chiral tertiary homoallylic alcohols.