Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation Patterns Among B7 Family Ligands and Tryptophan Degrading Enzymes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Mechanisms of dysfunctional T cell immunity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) need to be well defined. B7 family molecules provide both co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory signals to T cells while tryptophan degrading enzymes like Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and Tryptophan 2,3 Dioxygenase (TDO) mediate tumor immune tolerance. It is necessary to identify their in situ correlative expression, which informs targets for combined immunotherapy approaches. We investigated B7 family molecules, IDO, TDO and immune responsive effectors in the tumor tissues of patients with HCC (n = 28) using a pathway-focused quantitative nanoscale chip real-time PCR. Four best correlative expressions, namely (1) B7-1 & PD-L2, (2) B7-H2 & B7-H3, (3) B7-2 & PD-L1, (4) PD-L1 & PD-L2, were identified among B7 family ligands, albeit they express at different levels. Although TDO expression is higher than IDO, PD-L1 correlates only with IDO but not TDO. Immune effector (Granzyme B) and suppressive (PD-1 and TGF-β) genes correlate with IDO and B7-1, B7-H5, PD-L2. Identification of the in situ correlation of PD-L1, PD-L2 and IDO suggest their cumulative immuno suppressive role in HCC. The distinct correlations among B7-1, B7-2, B7-H2, and B7-H3, correlation of PD-1 with non-cognate ligands such as B7-1 and B7-H5, and correlation of tumor lytic enzyme Granzyme B with IDO and PD-L2 suggest that HCC microenvironment is complexly orchestrated with both stimulatory and inhibitory molecules which together neutralize and blunt anti-HCC immunity. Functional assays demonstrate that both PDL-1 and IDO synergistically inhibit T cell responses. Altogether, the present data suggest the usage of combined immune checkpoint blocking strategies targeting co-inhibitory B7 molecules and IDO for HCC management.
Sensory Integration in Human Movement: A New Brain-Machine Interface Based on Gamma Band and Attention Level for Controlling a Lower-Limb Exoskeleton

Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) can improve the control of assistance mobility devices making its use more intuitive and natural. In the case of an exoskeleton, they can also help rehabilitation therapies due to the reinforcement of neuro-plasticity through repetitive motor actions and cognitive engagement of the subject. Therefore, the cognitive implication of the user is a key aspect in BMI applications, and it is important to assure that the mental task correlates with the actual motor action. However, the process of walking is usually an autonomous mental task that requires a minimal conscious effort. Consequently, a brain-machine interface focused on the attention to gait could facilitate sensory integration in individuals with neurological impairment through the analysis of voluntary gait will and its repetitive use. This way the combined use of BMI+exoskeleton turns from assistance to restoration. This paper presents a new brain-machine interface based on the decoding of gamma band activity and attention level during motor imagery mental tasks. This work also shows a case study tested in able-bodied subjects prior to a future clinical study, demonstrating that a BMI based on gamma band and attention-level paradigm allows real-time closed-loop control of a Rex exoskeleton.
Clinical-Pathological Features and Outcome of Atypical Anti-glomerular Basement Membrane Disease in a Large Single Cohort

Background: Atypical cases of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease had absent circulating antibodies but linear IgG deposits along GBM in the kidneys. Herein, we reported the clinical-pathological features and outcome of these rare cases. Methods: Linear IgG deposit along GBM were examined by immunofluorescence on renal specimens, with exclusion of diabetic kidney disease. Circulating anti-GBM antibodies were tested by commercial ELISA assay. Clinical, pathological and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Results: From 2013 to 2018, a total of 60 patients were diagnosed as atypical anti-GBM disease. They had a male predominance, with an average age of 51.7 ± 15.6 years. Three (5.0%) patients had alveolar hemorrhage. Forty five percent of them presented with acute kidney disease. All patients had linear IgG deposit along GBM, some in addition on tubular basement membrane and/or Bowmans' capsules. C3 deposition was found in 65.0% of the patients. 41.7% (25/60) of the patients showed crescent formation and the percentage of crescent was (34.7 ± 23.5)% in those patients. They had higher prevalence of hematuria and C3 deposit, higher levels of serum creatinine, worse renal and patient survival than those without crescent (P < 0.05). During the follow-up of 35.7 ± 21.4 months, 14 (23.3%) patients progressed to ESRD. The serum creatinine on diagnosis [per 200 μmol/L increase, HR (95% CI): 2.663 (1.372, 5.172), P = 0.004], serum C3 [per 0.1 g/L increase, HR (95% CI): 0.689(0.483, 0.984), P = 0.040] and the intensity of kidney C3 staining [per 1+ increase, HR (95% CI): 2.770 (1.115, 6.877), P = 0.028] were independent predictive factors for kidney outcome. Nine (15.0%) patients died of all causes. Conclusions: Atypical anti-GBM disease manifested milder kidney injury and scarce pulmonary hemorrhage compared to the classical cases. Though heterogeneous, a substantial number of the patients had complement activation and crescent formation. Patients having crescents presented with more severe clinical course and worse outcomes. The poor kidney and patient prognosis emphasize prompt interventions from physicians. The immunosuppressive intervention was not associated with kidney or patient outcome. Further studies are needed to address the optimal therapeutic regimen.
Effects of maternal sleep deprivation on maternal sensitivity and contingent responsiveness

Effects of Maternal Sleep Deprivation on Maternal Sensitivity and Contingent Responsiveness Cheryl Wiedman Research has revealed that sleep deprivation deleteriously affects several aspects of adults behavior, such as mood, cognition, and motor performance. One population that is subject to sleep deprivation and the accompanying consequences are parents of young infants. The present study explored how sleep deprivation, resulting from infant night awakening, affects the face-to-face interaction between mothers and their 3-to 4-month-old infants. Contrary to the proposed hypotheses the groups did not differ in sensitivity or contingent responsiveness. However, regression analyses revealed that depression and sleep deprivation together significantly predicted contingent responsiveness during the interaction. Mothers who were more depressed and sleep deprived were less likely than other mothers to smile or vocalize in response to an infant smile or vocalization. These findings suggest that maternal sleep deprivation, resulting from infant night awakening in combination with depression, suppresses their contingent responsiveness to their infants social cues.
Scaffolding Strategy and Students Performance in Mathematics in Senior High School in Keta Municipality, Ghana

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of scaffolding strategy on students’ performance in Mathematics in Keta Municipality of Volta Region, Ghana. The study employed a quasi-experimental research design. The sample for the study consisted of one hundred and fifteen (115) Senior High School Two Mathematics students. The instrument used for data collection was a multiple type objectives test titled: Mathematics Performance Test (MPT). The instrument was validated by three experts and had a reliability index of 0.88 obtained through the use of Pearson moment correlation. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The data collected were analyzed using adjusted mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the null hypothesis at alpha level of 0.05. The result of the study showed that students performed highly using scaffolding learning strategy than those students who were taught using the traditional method. The test of interaction showed that gender had no significant interaction with teaching approach on students mean performance. The study concluded that scaffolding strategy is a good teaching method for teaching elective mathematics. The study recommended that mathematics teachers should adopt scaffolding learning strategy in the teaching because it enhances the academic performance of students in Senior High Schools in Ghana. The study also recommended that workshops should be organized by educational bodies to emphasize and enlighten teachers and mathematics educators on the benefits of using scaffolding strategy in the learning and teaching in Senior High Schools in Ghana.
Cascade Support Vector Machines applied to the Translation Initiation Site prediction problem

The correct identiﬁcation of the protein coding region is an important and latent problem of biology. The challenge is the lack of deep knowledge about biological systems, speciﬁcally the conservative characteristics of the messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA). Thus, the use of computational methods is fundamental to discovery patterns within the Translation Initiation Site (TIS). In Bioinformatics, machine learning algorithms have been widely applied, among them we have the Support Vector Machines (SVM), which are based on inductive inference. However, the use of SVM incurs a high computational cost when applied to large data sets, and its training time scales up to quadratically in relation to the data set size. In this study, to tackle this challenge and analyse the algorithm’s behavior, we employed a Cascade SVM approach to the TIS prediction problem. This strategy proposes accelerating the model training process and reducing the number of support vectors. The results achieved in our study showed that the cascaded SVM approach is able to signiﬁcantly reduce model training times while maintaining accuracy and F-measure rates similar to the conventional approach (SVM). We also demonstrate the scenarios in which the cascade approach is more suitable for reducing training time.
Dynamic Bayesian smooth transition autoregressive models for nonlinear nonstationary time series

Dynamic Bayesian Smooth Transition Autoregressive (DBSTAR) models are proposed for nonlinear autoregressive time series processes as alternative to both the classical Smooth Transition Autoregressive (STAR) models of Chan and Tong (1986) and the Bayesian Simulation STAR (BSTAR) models of Lopes and Salazar (2005). Unlike those, DBSTAR models are sequential dynamic analytical models suitable for inherently nonstationary time series with nonlinear characteristics such as asymmetric cycles. As they are analytical, they also avoid potential computational problems associated with BSTAR models and allow fast sequential estimation of parameters. Two types of DBSTAR models are defined here based on the method adopted to approximate the transition function of their autoregressive components, namely the Taylor and the B-splines DBSTAR models. In an application to the well-known series of annual Canadian lynx trappings, a harmonic DBSTAR model that accounts for the cyclical component explicitly in a flexible yet parsimonious way, showed improved fitting when compared to both classical STAR and BSTAR models. Another application to a series of hourly electricity loading in southern Brazil illustrates the short-term forecasting accuracy as well as the flexibility of model formulation and fast computing DBSTAR models that account for various characteristics such as periodic behaviour within-the-day and within-the-week as well as temperature.
159. Sediment Redistribution Following Wildfire in the Sydney Region, Australia: A Mineral Magnetic Tracing Approach

Increased sediment and nutrient fluxes arising after wildfires may affect downstream water quality. we use mineral magnetic tracers to elucidate linkage between different slope units, river channel and a reservoir sediment column in the gorge-dissected landscape of a burnt water supply basin. Comparison of magnetic properties of source areas with down stream (sub-aerially stored) channel deposits suggests predominantly ridge-top origin with significant storage of sediment within footslopes. Magnetic properties of the sediment column provide insight into the nature of sediment accumulation on the reservoir floor and the role of immediate post-fire rainfall events. Comparison of source signatures with sub-aqueously stored sediment is complicated by the apparent fragility of some fine pyrogenic mineral grains; these may have to be accounted for in sediment column interpretation. Tracing tools provide river basin managers with important process-based evidence of post-fire sediment redistribution, useful for more effective mitigation of these infrequent, but significant, sediment redistribution events.
Heterotic grouping of maize inbred lines using RFLP and SSR markers

Five heterotic groups were etermined among 29 maize inbred lines using RFLP and SSR markers. A total of 56 polymorphic probe enzyme combinations and 66 polymorphic SSR primers were identified among the inbred lines, which produced 187 and 232 alleles respectively. Mean polymorphism information content (PIC) for RFLPs (0.42) was lower than that for SSRs (0.54), but mean genetic similarity (GS) were similar (0.62&0.64). The five heterotic groups based on both RFLPs and SSRs were Sipingtou, Luda Red cob, LSC, BSSS, and PA groups. They were consistent with the grouping based on the available pedigree data. Moreover, inbreds with unknown pedigree were assigned to the established heterotic groups. The identification of PA group provided a valuable guidance for maize hybrid breeding.
Social anxiety disorder in medical students at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia

Background and Aims: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is highly prevalent among adolescents. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of social anxiety disorder and its effect on the academic performance among medical students at Taibah University in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 504 medical students. The social anxiety disorder (SAD) was measured by the validated Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) questionnaire. Results: Most participants were females (56.2%) and aged ≥22 years (55.0%). Severe to very severe SAD was reported by 13.5%. Higher SAD was found among younger students (P = 0.045), singles (P = 0.021), those who were in their first and second academic year (P = 0.005) and those with lower income (P = 0.041). SAD was correlated negatively with the academic performance (P = 0.002). Conclusion: SAD was relatively high among medical students and was correlated negatively with the academic performance. Rigorous efforts are needed for early detection and management of SAD.
Evaluation of Fracture Resistance and Color Stability of Crowns Obtained by Layering Composite Over Zirconia and Polyetheretherketone Copings Before and After Thermocycling to Simulate Oral Environment: An In Vitro Study

Background: Most common material used for the fabrication of an implant restoration is full-ceramic crown or an all-ceramic crown. Frequent chipping of the ceramic under occlusal load has posed a great problem to the clinician and the patient. Composites have been layered over zirconia successfully in the recent past to overcome this problem. This study, thus, aimed to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance and color stability of crowns obtained by layering composite over zirconia and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) copings before and after thermocycling to simulate oral environment. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 crowns (20 per group) were obtained by layering composite of A3 shade over computer-aided design/computer-aided milling milled zirconia and PEEK copings. Thermocycling of the 10 out of the 20 crowns was performed in a thermocycler (5000 cycles, in water temperature of 5°C and 55°C with dwell time of 30s), and then they were kept in hot and cold beverages for 24h each, to simulate oral environmental conditions. After thermocycling, the crowns were divided into four groups of 10 samples each: Group Z, ZT, P, and PT. Shade evaluation of all the crowns was performed using digital shade guide (VITA Easyshade® Advance; VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany) and VITAPAN classical (VITA Zahnfabrik). Fracture strength was tested for all the crowns in a universal testing machine. Fracture strength in megapascal and the applied occlusal load in kilograms were recorded. Data obtained were statistically evaluated by one-way analysis of variance and post hoc test. Results: The final shade of the crowns obtained by layering A3 shade composite in the groups Z was A3, ZT was B3, P was C3, and PT was D2. The value of mean fracture strength of crowns of groups Z was 1142.3 MPa, ZT was 1034.57 MPa, P was 2134.64 MPa, and PT was 1765.01 MPa. Conclusion: Thermocycling affected the shade of all the crowns. The mean fracture strength of the crowns having PEEK copings was significantly higher than that of zirconia copings. Thermocycling did not have a significant effect on the mean fracture strength.
Study of microalbuminuria in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Hypoxemia-induced endothelial dysfunction leads to microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria (MAB) has also been used as a parameter to assess the risk of cardiovascular events in an individual. The aim of this study was to observe the relationship of MAB in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to correlate MAB with different stages of COPD. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study included 140 patients with COPD selected according to GOLD guidelines based on COPD test assessment score and the number of exacerbations who had smoking pack years of more than 10 years. Urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) more than 30 mg/gm represents MAB. Results: The UACR increases as the severity of groups of COPD increases with significant differences in UACR values among different COPD groups. Significant differences were seen among various groups of COPD when compared for different clinical parameters such as SPO2, PaO2, PaCO2, pH, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that UACR was significantly inversely related with PaO2 (r = -0.514, P < 0.001), SPO2 (r = –0.397, P < 0.001) and FEV1 (r = –0.441, P < 0.001) and it was significantly positively correlated with PaCO2 (r = 0.675, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study indicates that there is strong relationship of MAB in patients with COPD and the levels of MAB increase as the severity of COPD increases due to hypoxia and endothelial dysfunction. As MAB is a marker for cardiovascular risk, patients with COPD can be routinely evaluated for the urine test of MAB specially who are at increased risk for cardiovascular events.
Studies on distribution of fungal endophyte in mangrove plant Aegiceras corniculatum

Five hundred and twenty-nine isolates of fungal endophytes were isolated from the lamina,mid-rib,bark and the xylem of stem of Aegiceras corniculatum,among them 297 isolates in wet and 232 in dry season.The taxa of preponderant fungal endophyte communities differed in the four organs of Aegiceras corniculatum: in lamina are Penicillium and Aureobasidium,in mid-rib are Penicillium and Cladosporium,in bark are the sterile groups,and in xylem of stem are Aureobasidium and Cladosporium.These results indicated that there was some degree of organ specific in distribution of fungal endophytes.The preponderant taxa of endophyte assemblages in organs were different between wet and dry seasons.For example,in lamina,wet season were Penicillium and Aureobasidium,but dry season were sterile groups B and C.It showed that the density and the taxa of the endophyte communities in Aegiceras corniculatum were influenced by the environmental factors such as precipitation,temperature,humidity,and intensity of sunlight.
Genetic Diversity of Helicoverpa assulta(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Guizhou Province

【Objective】 The objectives of the study are to explore genetic differentiation of oriental tobacco budworm(Helicoverpa assulta) among different geographic populations in Guizhou, uncover the differential law and mechanism, and to provide a scientific basis for the pest monitoring and integrated control. 【Method】 PCR amplifications were performed by 6 pairs of SSR primers that were screened out from 43 pairs of primers from closely-related species, using DNA from 30 H. assulta geographic populations in Guizhou as template. The PCR products were subjected to 8% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis and visualized by silver staining. Genetic diversity was analyzed by PopGene Version 1.32, and the UPGMA dendrogram was constructed by using MEGA 5.0 based on the Nei's genetic distance. The correlation between genetic and geographic distances as well as between genetic identity and elevation were analyzed by using Mantel. 【Result】 The observed and effective number of alleles ranged from 3 to 8 with an average of 5 and from 1.4498 to 2.2219 with an average of 1.8594, respectively. Shannon's information index ranged from 0.5310 to 1.0609 with an average of 0.8423. The observed(Ho) and expected heterozygosity(He) varied from 0.0260 to 0.2672 with a mean of 0.1239 and from 0.3123 to 0.5520 with a mean of 0.4539, respectively. The He was higher than the Ho, suggesting that all populations were mainly in homozygous condition. FIS changed from 0.0798 to 0.7906 with a mean of 0.2801; FITchanged from 0.4842 to 0.9731 with a mean of 0.7809. Both FIS and FIT were positive, indicating that there existed inbreeding in the all populations of H. assulta from tobacco-growing areas of Guizhou. FST ranged from 0.3897 to 0.9256 and gene flow(Nm) was less than 1, which reflected high genetic differentiation and a low level of Nm among all the populations. Genetic distance was in a range of 0.0068-2.5193 and genetic identity was in a range of 0.1051-0.9933. The minimum genetic distance(0.0068) and the maximum genetic identity(0.9933) were observed between Songtao and Yinjiang populations, whereas the maximum genetic distance(2.5193) and the minimum genetic identity(0.1051) were observed between Daozhen and Hezhang populations. The UPGMA phylogenetic analysis showed that the 30 geographic populations in Guizhou were clustered into three groups. The clustering had no significant correlation with the geographic distribution and only in a few populations the genetic differentiation had relationship with geographic distance. Mantel tests demonstrated that there was no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances as well as between genetic identity and elevation. 【Conclusion】 There exists a high level of genetic diversity among different geographic populations of H. assulta in Guizhou. All the populations are highly differentiated and the genetic differentiation primarily occurred between populations. Geographic isolation has no significant effect on the genetic differentiation.