Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interplay between Dietary Polyphenols and Oral and Gut Microbiota in the Development of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed type of cancer worldwide. Dietary features play an important role in its development, and the involvement of human microbial communities in this pathology has also recently been recognized. Individuals with CRC display alterations in gut bacterial composition and a notably higher abundance of putative oral bacteria in colonic tumors. Many experimental studies and preclinical evidence propose that dietary polyphenols have a relevant role in CRC development and progression, mainly attributed to their immunomodulatory activities. Furthermore, polyphenols can modulate oral and gut microbiota, and in turn, intestinal microbes catabolize polyphenols to release metabolites that are often more active and better absorbed than the original phenolic compounds. The current study aimed to review and summarize current knowledge on the role of microbiota and the interactions between dietary polyphenols and microbiota in relation to CRC development. We have highlighted the mechanisms by which dietary polyphenols and/or their microbial metabolites exert their action on the pathogenesis and prevention of CRC as modulators of the composition and/or activity of oral and intestinal microbiota, including novel screening biomarkers and possible nutritional therapeutic implications.
Somatostatin Analogs in Clinical Practice: A Review

Somatostatin analogs are an invaluable therapeutic option in the diagnosis and treatment of somatotropinomas, thyrotropinomas, and functioning and non-functioning gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. They should also be considered an effective and safe therapeutic alternative to corticotropinomas, gonadotropinomas, and prolactinomas resistant to dopamine agonists. Somatostatin analogs have also shown to be useful in the treatment of other endocrine diseases (congenital hyperinsulinism, Graves’ orbitopathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema), non-endocrine tumors (breast, colon, prostate, lung, and hepatocellular), and digestive diseases (chronic refractory diarrhea, hepatorenal polycystosis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, dumping syndrome, and intestinal fistula).
Comparison of Ginsenoside Components of Various Tissues of New Zealand Forest-Grown Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) and American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium L.)

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) are the two most important ginseng species for their medicinal properties. Ginseng is not only popular to consume, but is also increasingly popular to cultivate. In the North Island of New Zealand, Asian ginseng and American ginseng have been grown in Taupo and Rotorua for more than 15 years. There are no publications comparing the chemical constituents between New Zealand-grown Asian ginseng (NZPG) and New Zealand-grown American ginseng (NZPQ). In this study, fourteen ginsenoside reference standards and LC–MS2 technology were employed to analyze the ginsenoside components of various parts (fine root, rhizome, main root, stem, and leaf) from NZPG and NZPQ. Fifty and 43 ginsenosides were identified from various parts of NZPG and NZPQ, respectively, and 29 ginsenosides were found in both ginseng species. Ginsenoside concentrations in different parts of ginsengs were varied. Compared to other tissues, the fine roots contained the most abundant ginsenosides, not only in NZPG (142.49 ± 1.14 mg/g) but also in NZPQ (115.69 ± 3.51 mg/g). For the individual ginsenosides of both NZPG and NZPQ, concentration of Rb1 was highest in the underground parts (fine root, rhizome, and main root), and ginsenoside Re was highest in the aboveground parts (stem and leaf).
High-Risk Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Phenotype: The Roles of Ectopic Adiposity, Atherogenic Dyslipidemia, and Inflammation

Current algorithms for assessing risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and, in particular, the reliance on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in conditions where this measurement is discordant with apoB and LDL-particle concentrations fail to identify a sizeable part of the population at high risk for adverse cardiovascular events. This results in missed opportunities for ASCVD prevention, most notably in those with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and diabetes. There is substantial evidence that accumulation of ectopic fat and associated metabolic traits are markers for and pathogenic components of high-risk atherosclerosis. Conceptually, the subset of advanced lesions in high-risk atherosclerosis that triggers vascular complications is closely related to a set of coordinated high-risk traits clustering around a distinct metabolic phenotype. A key feature of this phenotype is accumulation of ectopic fat, which, coupled with age-related muscle loss, creates a milieu conducive for the development of ASCVD: atherogenic dyslipidemia, nonresolving inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, hyperinsulinemia, and impaired fibrinolysis. Sustained vascular inflammation, a hallmark of high-risk atherosclerosis, impairs plaque stabilization in this phenotype. This review describes how metabolic and inflammatory processes that are promoted in large measure by ectopic adiposity, as opposed to subcutaneous adipose tissue, relate to the pathogenesis of high-risk atherosclerosis. Clinical biomarkers indicative of these processes provide incremental information to standard risk factor algorithms and advanced lipid testing identifies atherogenic lipoprotein patterns that are below the discrimination level of standard lipid testing. This has the potential to enable improved identification of high-risk patients who are candidates for therapeutic interventions aimed at prevention of ASCVD.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy Versus Cognitive Therapy for Depression: How They Work, How Long, and for Whom-Key Findings From an RCT.

OBJECTIVE Although the effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and cognitive therapy (CT) for major depression has been established, little is known about how and for whom they work and how they compare in the long term. The latter is especially relevant for IPT because research on its long-term effects has been limited. This overview paper summarizes findings from a Dutch randomized controlled trial on the effects and mechanisms of change of IPT versus CT for major depression. METHODS Adult outpatients with depression (N=182) were randomly assigned to CT (N=76), IPT (N=75), or a 2-month waitlist control group followed by patient's treatment of choice (N=31). The primary outcome was depression severity. Other outcomes were quality of life, social and general psychological functioning, and scores on various mechanism measures. Interventions were compared at the end of treatment and up to 17 months follow-up. RESULTS On average, IPT and CT were both superior to waitlist, and their outcomes did not differ significantly from one another. However, the pathway through which change occurred appeared to differ. For a majority of participants, one of the interventions was predicted to be more beneficial than the other. No support for the theoretical models of change was found. CONCLUSIONS Outcomes of IPT and CT did not appear to differ significantly. IPT may have an enduring effect not different from that of CT. The field would benefit from further refinement of study methods to disentangle mechanisms of change and from advances in the field of personalized medicine (i.e., person-specific analyses and treatment selection methods).
Investigations of the underlying mechanisms of HIF-1α and CITED2 binding to TAZ1

Significance HIF-1α and CITED2 bind TAZ1 with similar affinity but different binding posture. CITED2 is an efficient competitor of HIF-1α and acts as a negative feedback regulator that attenuates HIF-1 transcriptional activity. Here we clarified the underlying mechanisms and the detailed processes of the competition and displacement between HIF-1α and CITED2, which is important for exploring “hypersensitive regulatory switch” in the cell. We show the dominant position of forming TAZ1–CITED2 complex from both thermodynamics and kinetics, in good agreement with experimental results. Main binding states can be recognized from the free energy landscape and the binding status of the conventional LPQ/EL motif. Switching between the bound LPQL and LPEL motifs is the crucial step of displacement between HIF-1α and CITED2. The TAZ1 domain of CREB binding protein is crucial for transcriptional regulation and recognizes multiple targets. The interactions between TAZ1 and its specific targets are related to the cellular hypoxic negative feedback regulation. Previous experiments reported that one of the TAZ1 targets, CITED2, is an efficient competitor of another target, HIF-1α. Here, by developing the structure-based models of TAZ1 complexes, we have uncovered the underlying mechanisms of the competitions between the two intrinsic disordered proteins (IDPs) HIF-1α and CITED2 binding to TAZ1. Our results support the experimental hypothesis on the competition mechanisms and the apparent affinity. Furthermore, the simulations locate the dominant position of forming TAZ1–CITED2 complex in both thermodynamics and kinetics. For thermodynamics, TAZ1–CITED2 is the lowest basin located on the free energy surface of binding in the ternary system. For kinetics, the results suggest that CITED2 binds to TAZ1 faster than HIF-1α. In addition, the analysis of contact map and Φ values is important for guiding further experimental studies to understand the biomolecular functions of IDPs.
β-radiation exposure with 188Re-labelled pharmaceuticals

Summary Aim: The number of therapies with radiopharmaceuticals labelled with 188Re is increasing requiring the documentation of the beta radiation exposure Hp(0.07) of the staff at all working and production sites and during the application and follow-up of the patient according to the new German Radiation Protection Law (StrlSchV). However, data for β-radiation exposure are rare. Therefore, we determined the personal dose Hp(0.07) of the skin of the hands handling 188Re radiopharmaceuticals to identify steps of high radiation exposure and to optimize working conditions. Method: Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD 100) were fixed to the fingertips of the radiochemist, the physician and the nurse and compared to official ring dosimeters. In addition, to monitor radiation exposure continuously readable electronic beta- and gamma dosimeters EPD (Siemens) were used. At eight days in which therapies were performed these readings were evaluated. Results: Considering one therapy with a 188Re-labelled radiopharmaceutical the middle finger of the radiochemist (production) and the physician (application) showed a radiation burden of 894 and 664 μSv/GBq, respectively. The cumulative dose of the fingertips after eight days of therapy was 249 and 110 mSv for the radiochemist and physician, respectively. A cumulative finger dose after eight days of therapy of 17 and 38 μSv/GBq was found for physician and nurse leading to a Hp(0.07) of 3 and 6 mSv, respectively. Preparing the radiopharmaceutical labelled with 20GBq of 188Re the reading of the personal electronic dosimeter of the radiochemist showed a γ-dose rate H . p(10) of 55 μSv/h and a β-dose rate H . p(0.07) of 663 μSv/h which are obviously not representative for the true radiation dose to the skin of the fingertips. Conclusion: During therapy with 188Re-labelled radiopharmaceuticals the true radiation dose to the skin of the finger tips exceeds by far the readings of the official ring dosimeters as well as the continuously readable beta- and gamma dosimeters. This means a risk in exceeding the radiation limit of 500 mSv/a given in the German Radiation Protection Law (§55 StrSchV) primarily in the working field of the radiochemist and the administering physician.
Reliability and Validity of the Short-Form 12 Item Version 2 (SF−12v2) Health-Related Quality of Life Survey and Disutilities Associated with Relevant Conditions in the U.S. Older Adult Population

This study aimed to validate the Short-Form 12-Item Survey—version 2 (SF−12v2) in an older (≥65 years old) US population as well as estimate disutilities associated with relevant conditions, using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey longitudinal panel (2014–2015). The physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were examined for reliability (internal consistency, test-retest), construct validity (convergent and discriminant, structural), and criterion validity (concurrent and predictive). The study sample consisted of 1040 older adults with a mean age of 74.09 years (standard deviation: 6.19) PCS and MCS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha—PCS: 0.87, MCS: 0.86) and good and moderate test-retest validity, respectively (intraclass correlation coefficient: PCS:0.79, MCS:0.59)). The questionnaire demonstrated sufficient convergent and discriminant ability. Confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate fit with the theoretical model and structural validity (goodness of fit = 0.9588). Concurrent criterion validity and predictive criterion validity were demonstrated. Activity limitations, functional limitations, arthritis, coronary heart disease, diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, angina, and high blood pressure were associated with disutilities of 0.18, 0.15, 0.06, 0.07, 0.07, 0.06, 0.09, 0.06, and 0.08, respectively, and demonstrated the responsiveness of the instrument to these conditions. The SF−12v2 is a valid and reliable instrument in an older US population.
Marine Alkaloids with Anti-Inflammatory Activity: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Alkaloids are nitrogenous compounds with various biological activities. Alkaloids with anti-inflammatory activity are commonly found in terrestrial plants, but there are few records of the identification and characterization of the activity of these compounds in marine organisms such as fungi, bacteria, sponges, ascidians, and cnidarians. Seaweed are a source of several already elucidated bioactive compounds, but few studies have described and characterized the activity of seaweed alkaloids with anti-inflammatory properties. In this review, we have gathered the current knowledge about marine alkaloids with anti-inflammatory activity and suggest future perspectives for the study and bioprospecting of these compounds.
Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition of Plasmonic TiN Ultrathin Films Using TDMATi and NH3

Transition metal nitrides, like titanium nitride (TiN), are promising alternative plasmonic materials. Here we demonstrate a low temperature plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE-ALD) of non-stoichiometric TiN0.71 on lattice-matched and -mismatched substrates. The TiN was found to be optically metallic for both thick (42 nm) and thin (11 nm) films on MgO and Si <100> substrates, with visible light plasmon resonances in the range of 550–650 nm. We also demonstrate that a hydrogen plasma post-deposition treatment improves the metallic quality of the ultrathin films on both substrates, increasing the ε1 slope by 1.3 times on MgO and by 2 times on Si (100), to be similar to that of thicker, more metallic films. In addition, this post-deposition was found to tune the plasmonic properties of the films, resulting in a blue-shift in the plasmon resonance of 44 nm on a silicon substrate and 59 nm on MgO.
Connectivity at the origins of domain specificity in the cortical face and place networks

Significance Where does knowledge come from? We addressed this classic question using the test cases of the cortical face and scene networks: two well-studied examples of specialized “knowledge” systems in the adult brain. We found that neonates already show domain-specific patterns of functional connectivity between regions that will later develop full-blown face and scene selectivity. Furthermore, the proto face network showed stronger functional connectivity with foveal than with peripheral primary visual cortex, while the proto scene network showed the opposite pattern, revealing that these networks already receive differential visual inputs. Our findings support the hypothesis that innate connectivity precedes the emergence of domain-specific function in cortex, shedding new light on the age-old question of the origins of human knowledge. It is well established that the adult brain contains a mosaic of domain-specific networks. But how do these domain-specific networks develop? Here we tested the hypothesis that the brain comes prewired with connections that precede the development of domain-specific function. Using resting-state fMRI in the youngest sample of newborn humans tested to date, we indeed found that cortical networks that will later develop strong face selectivity (including the “proto” occipital face area and fusiform face area) and scene selectivity (including the “proto” parahippocampal place area and retrosplenial complex) by adulthood, already show domain-specific patterns of functional connectivity as early as 27 d of age (beginning as early as 6 d of age). Furthermore, we asked how these networks are functionally connected to early visual cortex and found that the proto face network shows biased functional connectivity with foveal V1, while the proto scene network shows biased functional connectivity with peripheral V1. Given that faces are almost always experienced at the fovea, while scenes always extend across the entire periphery, these differential inputs may serve to facilitate domain-specific processing in each network after that function develops, or even guide the development of domain-specific function in each network in the first place. Taken together, these findings reveal domain-specific and eccentricity-biased connectivity in the earliest days of life, placing new constraints on our understanding of the origins of domain-specific cortical networks.
Seasonal Changes in Microbial Dissolved Organic Sulfur Transformations in Coastal Waters

The marine trace gas dimethylsulfide (DMS) is the single most important biogenic source of atmospheric sulfur, accounting for up to 80% of global biogenic sulfur emissions. Approximately 300 million tons of DMS are produced annually, but the majority is degraded by microbes in seawater. The DMS precursor dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and oxidation product dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) are also important organic sulfur reservoirs. However, the marine sinks of dissolved DMSO remain unknown. We used a novel combination of stable and radiotracers to determine seasonal changes in multiple dissolved organic sulfur transformation rates to ascertain whether microbial uptake of dissolved DMSO was a significant loss pathway. Surface concentrations of DMS ranged from 0.5 to 17.0 nM with biological consumption rates between 2.4 and 40.8 nM·d−1. DMS produced from the reduction of DMSO was not a significant process. Surface concentrations of total DMSO ranged from 2.3 to 102 nM with biological consumption of dissolved DMSO between 2.9 and 111 nM·d−1. Comparisons between 14C2-DMSO assimilation and dissimilation rates suggest that the majority of dissolved DMSO was respired (>94%). Radiotracer microbial consumption rates suggest that dissimilation of dissolved DMSO to CO2 can be a significant loss pathway in coastal waters, illustrating the significance of bacteria in controlling organic sulfur seawater concentrations.
Machine Learning-Based Gully Erosion Susceptibility Mapping: A Case Study of Eastern India

Gully erosion is a form of natural disaster and one of the land loss mechanisms causing severe problems worldwide. This study aims to delineate the areas with the most severe gully erosion susceptibility (GES) using the machine learning techniques Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosted Regression Tree (GBRT), Naïve Bayes Tree (NBT), and Tree Ensemble (TE). The gully inventory map (GIM) consists of 120 gullies. Of the 120 gullies, 84 gullies (70%) were used for training and 36 gullies (30%) were used to validate the models. Fourteen gully conditioning factors (GCFs) were used for GES modeling and the relationships between the GCFs and gully erosion was assessed using the weight-of-evidence (WofE) model. The GES maps were prepared using RF, GBRT, NBT, and TE and were validated using area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve, the seed cell area index (SCAI) and five statistical measures including precision (PPV), false discovery rate (FDR), accuracy, mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean squared error (RMSE). Nearly 7% of the basin has high to very high susceptibility for gully erosion. Validation results proved the excellent ability of these models to predict the GES. Of the analyzed models, the RF (AUROC = 0.96, PPV = 1.00, FDR = 0.00, accuracy = 0.87, MAE = 0.11, RMSE = 0.19 for validation dataset) is accurate enough for modeling and better suited for GES modeling than the other models. Therefore, the RF model can be used to model the GES areas not only in this river basin but also in other areas with the same geo-environmental conditions.
Thermoelectric Properties of NiCl3 Monolayer: A First-Principles-Based Transport Study

By employing the first-principles-based transport theory, we investigate the thermoelectric performance based on the structural and electronic properties of NiCl3 monolayer. The NiCl3 monolayer is confirmed to be a stable Dirac spin gapless semiconductor with the linear energy dispersion having almost massless carrier, high carrier mobility and fully spin-polarization. Further, NiCl3 monolayer processes the optimum power factor of 4.97 mWm−1 K−2, the lattice thermal conductivity of 1.89 Wm−1 K−1, and the dimensionless figure of merit of 0.44 at room temperature under reasonable carrier concentration, indicating that NiCl3 monolayer may be a potential matrix for promising thermoelectrics.
Discordant fetal sex on NIPT and ultrasound

Prenatal diagnosis of sex discordance is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to cell‐free DNA testing, the diagnosis of a disorder of sexual differentiation was serendipitous, either through identification of ambiguous genitalia at the midtrimester morphology ultrasound or discovery of genotype‐phenotype discordance in cases where preimplantation genetic diagnosis or invasive prenatal testing had occurred. The widespread integration of cfDNA testing into modern antenatal screening has made sex chromosome assessment possible from 10 weeks of gestation, and discordant fetal sex is now more commonly diagnosed prenatally, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 1500‐2000 pregnancies. Early detection of phenotype‐genotype sex discordance is important as it may indicate an underlying genetic, chromosomal or biochemical condition and it also allows for time‐critical postnatal treatment. The aim of this article is to review cfDNA and ultrasound diagnosis of fetal sex, identify possible causes of phenotype‐genotype discordance and provide a systematic approach for clinicians when counseling and managing couples in this circumstance.