Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Birth weight associations with DNA methylation differences in an adult population

ABSTRACT The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory predicts that prenatal and early life events shape adult health outcomes. Birth weight is a useful indicator of the foetal experience and has been associated with multiple adult health outcomes. DNA methylation (DNAm) is one plausible mechanism behind the relationship of birth weight to adult health. Through data linkage between Generation Scotland and historic Scottish birth cohorts, and birth records held through the NHS Information and Statistics Division, a sample of 1,757 individuals with available birth weight and DNAm data was derived. Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) were performed in two independently generated DNAm subgroups (nSet1 = 1,395, nSet2 = 362), relating adult DNAm from whole blood to birth weight. Meta-analysis yielded one genome-wide significant CpG site (p = 5.97x10−9), cg00966482. There was minimal evidence for attenuation of the effect sizes for the lead loci upon adjustment for numerous potential confounder variables (body mass index, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status). Associations between birth weight and epigenetic measures of biological age were also assessed. Associations between lower birth weight and higher Grim Age acceleration (p(FDR) = 3.6x10−3) and shorter DNAm-derived telomere length (p(FDR) = 1.7x10−3) are described, although results for three other epigenetic clocks were null. Our results provide support for an association between birth weight and DNAm both locally at one CpG site, and globally via biological ageing estimates.
Clamgulchian (Miocene-Pliocene) Pollen Assemblages of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska, and the Persistence of the Family Podocarpaceae

ABSTRACT Pollen diagrams from three areas of the Kenai Lowland of Alaska demonstrate the pollen floras of the Clamgulchian Stage (∼8-2.5 Ma) of Late Miocene/Early Pliocene age. These sections, originally described based on their plant megafossils and pollen, are revisited for a more precise determination of their pollen stratigraphy. The floras from Clam Gulch on the west margin of the Kenai Lowland are compared with Clamgulchian sections of the same age on the east margin, in canyons at the head of Kachemak Bay. The results substantiate that in the Clamgulchian sections thermophile pollen types (exotic warmth-loving woody genera) represent about 2–10% of the count (and include 15 thermophile taxa), while in the earlier Homerian Stage (∼14.5-8 Ma) thermophiles are more important and more diverse (28 taxa), representing 5–15% of the count. A second difference between the Homerian and Clamgulchian is the increased diversity of herbaceous groups (such as Ranunculaceae, Urticaceae, Onagraceae, Primulaceae and others), which are few in the Homerian (∼4–5 taxa), but many in the Clamgulchian (≤15–18 taxa). These herb groups show increasing diversity near the top of the Neogene in the Alaskan flora. With a decrease in thermophiles, the Clamgulchian taxa show a transition towards a cooler climate. Pollen of the exotic gymnosperm family Podocarpaceae chiefly of the Southern Hemisphere are diverse minor elements during the entire Neogene of Alaska. These consistent elements may represent resident associates of the hardwood forests in southern Alaska as the likelihood of their pollen occurrences being the result of long-distance transport seems unlikely.
Conventional solid fermentation alters mycotoxin contents and microbial diversity analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of a Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet

Abstract: Fusarium mycotoxins, commonly present in corn and its derived products for animals, has caused significant economic impact on swine reproduction in the People’s Republic of China. The objective of the present study, therefore, was to evaluate changes in mycotoxin contents and microbial diversity by conventional solid fermentation of a contaminated diet. Three diets were evaluated, as follows: control group, basal diet; test group 1 (25 Toxin), basal diet in which corn and corn gluten meal were replaced with 25% mycotoxin-contaminated corn and corn gluten meal, respectively; test group 2 (50 Toxin), basal diet in which corn and corn gluten meal were replaced with 50% mycotoxin-contaminated corn and corn gluten meal, respectively. Compound strains were used for solid-state fermentation of the compound feed. Under the present experimental conditions, conventional solid fermentation altered microbial diversity, as demonstrated by high-throughput sequencing of a Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet, and the content of zearalenone (ZEA) was reduced significantly. However, deleterious effects were also observed with regard to the contents of deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FUMB1). These results may have implications for animals consuming Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated food or feed by conventional solid fermentation.
Accuracy of the Zika IgM Antibody Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Zika MAC-ELISA) for Diagnosis of Zika Virus Infection

Serological diagnosis of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is challenging because of antigenic cross-reactivity with dengue virus (DENV). This study evaluated the accuracy of the Zika IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CDC Zika IgM MAC-ELISA) in differentiating between ZIKV and DENV infections. To determine sensitivity, we used acute- and convalescent-phase sera from 21 patients with RT-PCR-confirmed ZIKV infection. To determine specificity, we used acute- and convalescent-phase sera from 60 RT-PCR-confirmed dengue cases and sera from 23 blood donors. During the acute-phase of the illness, the assay presented a sensitivity of 12.5% (2/16) for samples collected 0–4 days post symptoms onset (DPSO), and of 75.0% (3/4) for samples collected 5–9 DPSO. During the convalescent-phase of the illness, the test sensitivity was 90.9% (10/11), 100% (2/2), and 0% (0/2) for samples obtained 12–102, 258–260, and 722–727 DPSO, respectively. Specificity for acute- and convalescent-phase samples from RT-PCR-confirmed dengue cases was 100% and 93.2%, respectively. Specificity for blood donor samples was 100%. The assay is an accurate method for Zika serological diagnosis and proved to be reliable for use during surveillance and outbreak investigations in settings where ZIKV and DENV cocirculate.
Strategies to prevent missed nursing care: an international qualitative study based upon a positive deviant approach.

AIM To identify strategies to prevent Missed Nursing Care (MNC) that can be implemented by nurse managers/directors on a daily basis. BACKGROUND Only few recommendations have been established to date aiming at supporting nurse managers/ directors in preventing MNC. However, several strategies are implemented on a daily basis, suggesting that a body of tacit, practical, and wise knowledge is already in place. METHOD(S) An international qualitative descriptive study based on the positive deviance approach conducted in 2019-2020 and reported according to The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. A purposeful sample of 35 nurse managers/directors working in hospitals in Cyprus, Italy, Germany and Switzerland was involved. Codes were extracted from each country and a thematic analysis was performed at the transnational level to identify strategies and interventions preformed to prevent MNC. RESULTS Eight strategies and 22 interventions, mainly with preventive intent and designed at the hospital level, affecting both the processes and the structural dimensions, have been reported as effective in preventing MNC. CONCLUSION Nurse leaders are involved daily in implementing strategies to minimize MNC at the nursing and at the hospital system levels, integrated with each other. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Preventing MNC should be a core value of the entire hospital, and not merely a nursing issue: therefore, complex interventions at the system level are required.
High Adenosine Extracellular Levels Induce Glioblastoma Aggressive Traits Modulating the Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome

Glioblastoma is an aggressive, fast-growing brain tumor influenced by the composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in which mesenchymal stromal cell (MSCs) play a pivotal role. Adenosine (ADO), a purinergic signal molecule, can reach up to high micromolar concentrations in TME. The activity of specific adenosine receptor subtypes on glioma cells has been widely explored, as have the effects of MSCs on tumor progression. However, the effects of high levels of ADO on glioma aggressive traits are still unclear as is its role in cancer cells-MSC cross-talk. Herein, we first studied the role of extracellular Adenosine (ADO) on isolated human U343MG cells as a glioblastoma cellular model, finding that at high concentrations it was able to prompt the gene expression of Snail and ZEB1, which regulate the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, even if a complete transition was not reached. These effects were mediated by the induction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Additionally, ADO affected isolated bone marrow derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) by modifying the pattern of secreted inflammatory cytokines. Then, the conditioned medium (CM) of BM-MSCs stimulated with ADO and a co-culture system were used to investigate the role of extracellular ADO in GBM–MSC cross-talk. The CM promoted the increase of glioma motility and induced a partial phenotypic change of glioblastoma cells. These effects were maintained when U343MG cells and BM-MSCs were co-cultured. In conclusion, ADO may affect glioma biology directly and through the modulation of the paracrine factors released by MSCs overall promoting a more aggressive phenotype. These results point out the importance to deeply investigate the role of extracellular soluble factors in the glioma cross-talk with other cell types of the TME to better understand its pathological mechanisms.
DNA Methylation Clusters and Their Relation to Cytogenetic Features in Pediatric AML

Simple Summary Acute myeloid leukemia is a heterogenous disease with dismal outcome. In order to improve currently used therapeutic strategies it is important to get a in depth understanding of the molecular and genomic landscape of AML. Adult AML studies have established the significant of mutational profile of epigenetic genes as well as epigenetic deregulation DNA methylation signatures. In the current study we focused on establishing the DNA methylation profile in pediatric AML. Our result show that in pediatric AML patients the risk group and cytogenetic features have distinctive epigenetic signatures. Additionally, we observed that distinctive epigenetic hotspots co-occur complementary to the known genomic lesions and contribute towards leukemogenesis. Abstract Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is characterized by recurrent genetic and cytogenetic lesions that are utilized for risk stratification and for making treatment decisions. In recent years, methylation dysregulation has been extensively studied and associated with risk groups and prognosis in adult AML, however, such studies in pediatric AML are limited. Moreover, the mutations in epigenetic genes such as DNMT3A, IDH1 or IDH2 are almost absent or rare in pediatric patients as compared to their abundance in adult AML. In the current study, we evaluated methylation patterns that occur with or independent of the well-defined cytogenetic features in pediatric AML patients enrolled on multi-site AML02 clinical trial (NCT00136084). Our results demonstrate that unlike adult AML, cytosine DNA methylation does not result in significant unique clusters in pediatric AML, however, DNA methylation signatures correlated significantly with the most common and recurrent cytogenetic features. Paired evaluation of DNA methylation and expression identified genes and pathways of biological relevance that hold promise for novel therapeutic strategies. Our results further demonstrate that epigenetic signatures occur complimentary to the well-established chromosomal/mutational landscape, implying that dysregulation of oncogenes or tumor suppressors might be leveraging both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms to impact biological pathways critical for leukemogenesis.
Effect of tangeretin on ovalbumin-provoked allergic respiratory asthma in Swiss albino mice

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of tangeretin on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic respiratory asthma in Swiss albino mice. Methods: Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 50 μg OVA dissolved in water and 1 mg of aluminium hydroxide (alum) on the first day, and on day 12. On days 22, 26 and 30, the mice were exposed to 1 % OVA for 30 min. Mice in the asthma control group received saline via the same route. Tangeretin (50 or 100 mg/kg body weight) was given orally from day 1 to day 30. On the day of sensitization and challenge, tangeretin (50 or 100 mg/kg body weight) was injected 30 min prior to the treatment. Bronchial function, degree of inflammation, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ in BALF, serum total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, as well as histopathology of lungs were determined. Results: Tangeretin administration led to significant reduction in airway sensitivity, and significant decreases in leukocyte, macrophage, and eosinophil counts (p < 0.05). It also brought about significant decreases in the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in both BALF and serum (p < 0.05). In addition, tangeretin reversed the OVA-induced histopathological anomalies in the lungs. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that tangeritin exerts protective effects against OVA-induced allergic respiratory asthma in Swiss albino mice, and that the drug can potentially be developed for the management of allergic asthma. Keywords: Allergic asthma, Inflammation, Cytokines, Ovalbumin, Tangeretin
RNN for Repetitive Motion Generation of Redundant Robot Manipulators: An Orthogonal Projection-Based Scheme

For the existing repetitive motion generation (RMG) schemes for kinematic control of redundant manipulators, the position error always exists and fluctuates. This article gives an answer to this phenomenon and presents the theoretical analyses to reveal that the existing RMG schemes exist a theoretical position error related to the joint angle error. To remedy this weakness of existing solutions, an orthogonal projection RMG (OPRMG) scheme is proposed in this article by introducing an orthogonal projection method with the position error eliminated theoretically, which decouples the joint space error and Cartesian space error with joint constraints considered. The corresponding new recurrent neural networks (NRNNs) are structured by exploiting the gradient descent method with the assistance of velocity compensation with theoretical analyses provided to embody the stability and feasibility. In addition, simulation results on a fixed-based redundant manipulator, a mobile manipulator, and a multirobot system synthesized by the existing RMG schemes and the proposed one are presented to verify the superiority and precise performance of the OPRMG scheme for kinematic control of redundant manipulators. Moreover, via adjusting the coefficient, simulations on the position error and joint drift of the redundant manipulator are conducted for comparison to prove the high performance of the OPRMG scheme. To bring out the crucial point, different controllers for the redundancy resolution of redundant manipulators are compared to highlight the superiority and advantage of the proposed NRNN. This work greatly improves the existing RMG solutions in theoretically eliminating the position error and joint drift, which is of significant contributions to increasing the accuracy and efficiency of high-precision instruments in manufacturing production.
Predicting Diabetic Neuropathy Risk Level Using Artificial Neural Network and Clinical Parameters of Subjects With Diabetes

Background: A risk assessment tool has been developed for automated estimation of level of neuropathy based on the clinical characteristics of patients. The smart tool is based on risk factors for diabetic neuropathy, which utilizes vibration perception threshold (VPT) and a set of clinical variables as potential predictors. Methods: Significant risk factors included age, height, weight, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, and duration of diabetes. The continuous-scale VPT was recorded using a neurothesiometer and classified into three categories based on the clinical thresholds in volts (V): low risk (0-20.99 V), medium risk (21-30.99 V), and high risk (≥31 V). Results: The initial study had shown that by just using patient data (n = 5088) an accuracy of 54% was achievable. Having established the effectiveness of the “classical” method, a special Neural Network based on a Proportional Odds Model was developed, which provided the highest level of prediction accuracy (>70%) using the simulated patient data (n = 4158). Conclusion: In the absence of any assessment devices or trained personnel, it is possible to establish with reasonable accuracy a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy by means of the clinical parameters of the patient alone.
Recent Progress on the Gold-Free Integration of Ternary III–As Antimonide Nanowires Directly on Silicon

During the last few years, there has been renewed interest in the monolithic integration of gold-free, Ternary III–As Antimonide (III–As–Sb) compound semiconductor materials on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)—compatible silicon substrate to exploit its scalability, and relative abundance in high-performance and cost-effective integrated circuits based on the well-established technology. Ternary III–As–Sb nanowires (NWs) hold enormous promise for the fabrication of high-performance optoelectronic nanodevices with tunable bandgap. However, the direct epitaxial growth of gold-free ternary III–As–Sb NWs on silicon is extremely challenging, due to the surfactant effect of Sb. This review highlights the recent progress towards the monolithic integration of III–As–Sb NWs on Si. First, a comprehensive and in-depth review of recent progress made in the gold-free growth of III–As–Sb NWs directly on Si is explicated, followed by a detailed description of the root cause of Sb surfactant effect and its influence on the morphology and structural properties of Au-free ternary III–As–Sb NWs. Then, the various strategies that have been successfully deployed for mitigating the Sb surfactant effect for enhanced Sb incorporation are highlighted. Finally, recent advances made in the development of CMOS compatible, Ternary III–As–Sb NWs based, high-performance optoelectronic devices are elucidated.
Neopterin serum level does not reflect the disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by established chronic inflammation. Neopterin levels have extensively been considered as a marker of immune activation during inflammation. In this study, we performed a systematic evaluation and meta‐analysis to elucidate the overall relationship between neopterin concentration and RA disease activity. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2000 to August 2020. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of eligible studies. The effect size (ES) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate this association. A total of 15 studies out of 98 met our inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis found that patients with RA had high level of neopterin; however, no statistically significant association was found between neopterin levels with high, intermediate, and low diseases activity score (DAS)‐28 (ES =11.18, 95% CI: 6.02 to 16.34, and I2 = 91.8%; and ES = 8.57, 95% CI: 6.41 to 10.37, and I2 = 99.5%; and ES =12.45, 95% CI: −1.68 to 26.58, and I2 = 99.0%, respectively). Our results indicated that the neopterin concentration does not seem to have any substantial impact on the RA disease activity.
Retinal Vascular Features in Ocular Blunt Trauma by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

In this prospective study, we analysed the changes in retinal vessel density (VD) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with commotio retinae up to 6 months after blunt ocular trauma. We analysed the VD in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area at 48 h, and 1, 3 and 6 months after the trauma and compared results with those of healthy fellow eyes. We also evaluated the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the structural, spectral domain (SD)-OCT parameters: ganglion cell complex (GCC) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). A total of 18 eyes of 18 patients (8 males, 10 females, mean age 49.61 ± 9.2 years) and 18 healthy control eyes were evaluated. GCC and RNFL thicknesses showed a significant trend towards progressively lower values from 1 month and 3 months after the trauma, respectively, compared to healthy eyes (p < 0.005). The reduction in SD-OCT parameters reached a plateau at 6 months. Similar behaviour was found in the VD of the SCP and RPC that significantly decreased, starting from 1 and 3 months after the trauma, respectively (p < 0.001). At 6 months, the VD values were stable. The DCP presented an initial decrease of VD (p < 0.001), and after 1 month, the values statistically increased until the sixth month, reaching values similar to those of the control group. The FAZ area and BCVA did not show statistically significant changes during the follow-up. OCTA provided a detailed and quantitative analysis of early retinal vascular perfusion alterations after commotio retinae, demonstrating that the impairment of the retinal microvasculature and its progressive changes over time occurred even in the absence of compromised visual acuity.
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF PROXIMATE COMPOSITION, MINERAL AND ENERGY CONTENTS IN LOCALLY SMOKED PELLONULA LEONENSIS AND SARDINELLA MADERENSIS FROM BADAGRY CREEK, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Knowledge of food composition is crucial in the assessment of nutritional quality and potential contribution to recommended nutrient intakes. Fish plays a major role in ensuring food and nutritional security among the poor, vulnerable and rural fishing communities. However, there is paucity of information on the nutritional value of fish species exploited by the artisanal fisheries in Nigeria. The present study was carried out to evaluate (i) the nutritional value in two locally smoked clupeids (Sardinella maderensis and Pellonula leonensis); (ii) each species in relation to recommended nutrient intakes in pre-school children(< 5 years) and elderly (men and women >70 years) and (iii) linkages between nutrient access and intake. Fresh samples were collected from Badagry Creek, smoked using local smoking kiln and analyzed according to AOAC standard method. Data were collected in duplicates and analyzed using t-test. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the proximate composition except for crude fibre between the two fish species. The percentage cover of daily recommended intake of phosphorous and calcium from the two species were very low (1. 81-3.7%; 0.023% - 0.0912%) but low to moderate for zinc (2 % - 22.50%) in pre-school children and the elderly. Sequel to the results obtained in this study, the two smoked fish species showed good nutritive qualities for human health despite the low to moderate contents of calcium, zinc and phosphorus contents.