Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The microtubule inhibitor eribulin demonstrates efficacy in platinum-resistant and refractory high-grade serous ovarian cancer patient-derived xenograft models

Background: Despite initial response to platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP inhibitor therapy (PARPi), nearly all recurrent high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) will acquire lethal drug resistance; indeed, ~15% of individuals have de novo platinum-refractory disease. Objectives: To determine the potential of anti-microtubule agent (AMA) therapy (paclitaxel, vinorelbine and eribulin) in platinum-resistant or refractory (PRR) HGSC by assessing response in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of HGSC. Design and methods: Of 13 PRR HGSC PDX, six were primary PRR, derived from chemotherapy-naïve samples (one was BRCA2 mutant) and seven were from samples obtained following chemotherapy treatment in the clinic (five were mutant for either BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2), four with prior PARPi exposure), recapitulating the population of individuals with aggressive treatment-resistant HGSC in the clinic. Molecular analyses and in vivo treatment studies were undertaken. Results: Seven out of thirteen PRR PDX (54%) were sensitive to treatment with the AMA, eribulin (time to progressive disease (PD) ⩾100 days from the start of treatment) and 11 out of 13 PDX (85%) derived significant benefit from eribulin [time to harvest (TTH) for each PDX with p < 0.002]. In 5 out of 10 platinum-refractory HGSC PDX (50%) and one out of three platinum-resistant PDX (33%), eribulin was more efficacious than was cisplatin, with longer time to PD and significantly extended TTH (each PDX p < 0.02). Furthermore, four of these models were extremely sensitive to all three AMA tested, maintaining response until the end of the experiment (120d post-treatment start). Despite harbouring secondary BRCA2 mutations, two BRCA2-mutant PDX models derived from heavily pre-treated individuals were sensitive to AMA. PRR HGSC PDX models showing greater sensitivity to AMA had high proliferative indices and oncogene expression. Two PDX models, both with prior chemotherapy and/or PARPi exposure, were refractory to all AMA, one of which harboured the SLC25A40-ABCB1 fusion, known to upregulate drug efflux via MDR1. Conclusion: The efficacy observed for eribulin in PRR HGSC PDX was similar to that observed for paclitaxel, which transformed ovarian cancer clinical practice. Eribulin is therefore worthy of further consideration in clinical trials, particularly in ovarian carcinoma with early failure of carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy.
Geomorphic and Hydrological Effects of Traditional Shifting Agriculture in a Mediterranean Mountain Area, Central Spanish Pyrenees

Abstract Shifting agriculture has been practiced over large areas in middle-latitude mountains in the Mediterranean basin during periods of strong demographic pressure. On average, such land accounted for about 22.8% of the total cultivated area in the Central Spanish Pyrenees at the beginning of the 20th century. The use of experimental plots between 1992 and 2003 demonstrated that shifting agriculture increased overland flow, suspended sediment, and solute concentration. Total soil loss was about 14 times higher on plots under shifting agriculture than on plots under dense shrub cover, and almost 3 times higher than on permanent sloping fields. Erosion rates ranged between 0.1 and 1.4 t/ha/yr. The abandonment of shifting agriculture practices resulted in rapid plant recolonization and a decrease in runoff and soil erosion. Nevertheless, severe geomorphic processes were found to be still active several decades after abandonment, explaining landscape degradation and the occurrence of shallow landslides.
Potential of local varieties and their hybrids for the improvement of eggplant production in the open field and greenhouse cultivation

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is cultivated both in the open field and greenhouse. F 1 hybrids, which have been mainly developed for greenhouse cultivation, are being increasingly used for open field cultivation. Given that these two growing environments present many differences, we hypothesize that local varieties, adapted to open field cultivation, can be used for developing hybrids that are competitive under these conditions with present commercial hybrids. We have grown 12 local varieties (LV), 12 experimental hybrids (EH) obtained by crossing local varieties, and three commercial hybrids (CH) under open field and greenhouse conditions and evaluated them for yield, fruit weight, earliness and fruit shape. Results show that local varieties and experimental hybrids are as uniform as commercial hybrids. Yield was higher in open field than in greenhouse, although significant differences were found among the materials in the performance. In open field conditions, commercial and experimental hybrids gave higher yield than local varieties (more than two-fold higher as a mean). No significant differences were found among the best accessions of commercial and experimental hybrids. In greenhouse conditions, commercial hybrids outperformed local varieties and experimental hybrids, and none of the latter materials gave yields similar to those of the best commercial hybrid. Commercial hybrids entered into production earlier than local varieties and experimental hybrids, especially under greenhouse conditions. Yield and harvest of the first fruit were negatively correlated in both environments. For all traits there is an important genotype x cultivation conditions interaction, suggesting that breeding programmes specific to each cultivation environment should be established. Also, hybrids between local varieties could be competitive with commercial hybrids in the open air cultivation, but not for greenhouse cultivation.
A theoretical study of the effect of relative humidity on light scattering by tropospheric aerosols

A theoretical analysis of the factors which contribute to the hygroscopic growth of atmospheric aerosols is presented within the context of the climatic impact of these aerosols. It is found that the factor which most influences the growth factor is the position of the initial dry aerosol size distribution relative to the efficient light scattering particle size range. When this factor is taken into consideration, rural aerosols have much larger growth factors than those currently utilized in assessment of the climatic impact of atmospheric aerosols.
Primary study of freshwater ecoregionalization in China

Management of natural resources and protection of the environment from the angle of ecosystems is becoming the mainstream trend in the field of environmental protection.And environmental protection and management of resources based on ecoregions and geographical classification units has been accepted widely.Compared with hydrological regionalization and functional subareas of aquatic environments,freshwater ecoregions have great advantages in management,assessment and protection of freshwater resources,environments and aquatic ecosystems such as rivers,streams and lakes.In this work,freshwater classifications in China are firstly compared with the main global freshwater ecoregions and classifications,the advantages and shortcomings of freshwater ecoregions and classifications are analyzed,and the need to research freshwater ecoregions is emphasized.Then,the objectives,scope and indices of freshwater ecoregionalization in China are proposed.We suggest that freshwater ecoregions in China should be based on the actual freshwater ecosystems and environmental characteristics,give prominence to the ecological service function of waters such as rivers and lakes,the sensitivity of aquatic ecosystems and the disturbance and impact of human activities.Finally,the scope and classification indices of freshwater ecoregionalization in China and the harmony of freshwater ecoregions in future environmental management with current regionalization systems are discussed.
Optimal nitrogen fertilization timing for upland rice.

Nitrogen is one of the most yield limiting nutrients for upland rice production in South America, including Brazil. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine optimal nitrogen fertilization timing for upland rice grain yield and yield components. The total N applied was 300 mg/kg and N timing treatments were: T1 (1/2 N applied at sowing + 1/2 applied at panicle initiation), T2 (total N applied at sowing), T3 (1/3 N applied at sowing + 1/3 N applied at active tillering + 1/3 N applied at the panicle initiation), T4 (1/2 N applied at initiation of tillering + 1/2 N applied panicle initiation), and T5 (2/3 N applied at sowing + 1/3 N applied at panicle initiation). Grain yield, shoot dry weight, panicle number, and grain harvest index were significantly influenced by N timing treatments. Maximum grain yield was obtained with one-third N applied at sowing + one-third applied at active tillering and remaining one-third applied at panicle initiation. Total N applied at sowing produced minimum grain yield, shoot dry weight, and panicle number. Shoot dry weight and panicle number were positively and significantly related to grain yield.
Regeneration of Rabbit Auricular Cartilage After the Intravenous Stem Cell Injection

Background The restoration of auricular cartilage is a major problem of otolaryngology. The low regenerative capacity of cartilage requires alternative approaches such as cell and tissue engineering. Stem cells are one of the ways to repair auricular cartilage damages. The aim of the investigation was the regeneration of an artificial defect of the auricular cartilage of rabbits after the intravenous injection of stem cells. Materials and Methods The study was carried out on rabbits. A narrow strip of auricular cartilage was surgically removed. A previously prepared suspension of homologous mesenchymal stem cells (5 million) in 0.5 ml physiological solution was injected into the vein of the opposite ear. Tissue samples from the site of the injury were collected after 1, 2, and 3 months. Histological examinations of the tissues were carried out after staining with fuchsin-eosin, azure II–eosin, and according to Weigert. In addition, the amount of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in the blood serum were determined. Results The main method of healing is the formation of a connective tissue scar. Yret, an increase of the number of fibroblasts and single islands of the newly formed auricular cartilage was found, which indicates the migration of the injected stem cells to the site of the damage and settling there. The intravenous injection of stem cells did not affect the secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-6, but significantly increased the amount of TGF-β1. Conclusions We assume that regenerative processes were stimulated. Nevertheless, they were aimed at quickly restoring the tissue integrity through the typical stages of scar formation. The restoration of cartilage integrity requires additional regulatory factors which will determine the chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells.
Actor-Critic Optimal Control for Semi-Markovian Jump Systems With Time Delay

In this brief, an actor-critic neural network (NN) framework is constructed to address the optimal regulation problem of the nonlinear semi-Markovian jump systems with state and input delays. Firstly, a specialized cost function associated with semi-Markovian jump parameters (s-MJPs) is defined. Then, the resolution of the Hamilton-Jacobian-Bellman equation is ascertained based on the application of actor-critic NN, in which updating laws for both the actor and critic NNs are devised to concomitantly execute the reinforcement learning strategy. Wherein the temporal difference error takes into account state and input delays. An actor-critic NN scheme is designed to approximate the unknown dynamic for time-delay systems with s-MJPs. Utilizing the Lyapunov method, this brief successfully demonstrates the ultimate uniform boundedness of the considered system. Finally, the practical simulation results presented serve to validate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.
An analytical model for the geotherm in the Basilicata oil fields area (southern Italy)

A geothermal model for the area of the Basilicata oil fields has been obtained by an analytical procedure. The model takes into account both the temperature variation due to the re-equilibrated conductive state after thrusting and frictional heating. Input parameters include heat flow density data and a series of geologically derived constraints – thrust depth, timing of thrusting, slip rate – obtained by the integration of surface and subsurface datasets. For the top 5 km of the crust, the resulting geothermal curve shows a remarkably good fit with temperatures recorded from deep oil wells.The new geotherm provides a fundamental constraint for rheological and stress accumulation modelling in the seismically active study area. Furthermore, the analytical solution provided in this study may be used as a basis to calculate the relevant geotherm for further areas and/or tectonic settings.
Analyses of Year-to-Year Variation and Trend for Wave Climatic Parameters along the Coasts of Japan Using Long-Term Measurement Data

Wave measurement data acquired over more than two decades along the coasts of Japan and the Pacific coast of USA are analyzed from three points of view (1) year-to-year variation, (2) jumps and (3) trends for wintertime- and summertime-meanvalues of significant wave height and period. Main findings are as follows:(1) the winter of 1998, containing the severest El-Nino period, gives the highest mean wave height along the western Pacific coast of Japan and the Pacific coast of USA. (2) a seesaw-like variation with a two-year period of season-separated meanwave heights along the Pacific coast of Japan may be observed and (3) one jump and an increasing trend in summer-time mean wave period data may be observed along the coasts of Japan.
Deposition and immersion mode nucleation of ice by three distinct samples of volcanic ash

The depositional and immersion mode ice nucleation efficiency of volcanic ash has been explored using a Raman microscope coupled to an environmental cell. Three separate ash samples from geographically distinct regions were specifically chosen to contain varying amounts of metal oxides and crystalline material, which could be integral factors in determining the inherent ice nucleation ability of each ash sample. Preliminary studies indicate that the samples have similar ice nucleating ability in the deposition mode. Ongoing studies are probing immersion freezing. In both cases, a range of ice active surface densities will be calculated, as well as an analysis of the effect of ash composition on ice nucleation ability.
Utility of the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology in Parotid Gland Masses: The Experience of Two Tertiary Centers

Background The application of fine needle aspiration (FNA) in parotid masses via the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) enhances the diagnosis of these lesions alongside radiological investigations. Objectives Our objective was to assess the risk of malignancy, sensitivity, specificity, and false positive and negative results for each category of the MSRSGC. Additionally, we assessed the level of agreement between the FNA results using MSRSGC and post-resection histopathological diagnosis. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of parotid gland masses that received FNA and postoperative pathological diagnosis at King Saud University Medical City and King Fahad Medical City between 2018 and 2022. We summarized the categorical variables using frequencies and percentages. Results A total of 172 cases met the inclusion criteria. Males encompassed 102 patients (59.3%) of the study sample, and 89 (51.7%) of parotid masses were on the left side. The risk of malignancy for the MSRSGC categories was 37.5% (Category I), 9.0% (II), 50.0% (III), 4.7% (IVa), 50.0% (IVb), 100.0% (V), and 71.0% (VI). FNA had an overall success rate of 81%. The sensitivity was 64% and specificity was 94% for non-neoplastic masses. For benign masses, the sensitivity was 91% and specificity was 66%; however, the sensitivity was 40% and specificity was 97% for malignant lesions. We found that the percentage of agreement between the FNA and final pathology was 80%. Conclusion FNA using MSRSGC is a valuable preoperative clinical tool. However, the low sensitivity rates based on the diagnosis of malignant lesions should alert clinicians not to be overly reliant on biopsy results and instead defer to definitive surgical management.
Structure Strengthening Phenomena of Gluten Matrices under Different Stress Types

To predict the achievable product volume with respect to the gas retention capacity of the gluten matrix in wheat flour doughs, strain hardening evaluation is crucial. But assessing these structure hardening phenomena in wheat flour dough systems is still a challenging task. In this work, a simple shear method applied to kneaded dough samples was tested and compared to biaxial extension tests performed with a lubricated squeezing flow method. The comparability of shear-induced structure hardening with biaxial extension tests was shown. Structure hardening and breakdown after overload were visualized using shear flow and a comparison of the obtained shear flow over Hencky strain curve peaks. To predict the behavior of the analyzed flours according to their composition, a correlation analysis of the flour and dough properties was performed. The influence of the HMW glutenin subunits on the sensitivity of the dough matrix according to the applied shear speed (0.1 and 1.0 mm/s) could be shown with a correlation coefficient of 0.94. The LMW glutenin subunits, on the other hand, showed a high correlation coefficient of 0.89 with the achievable network connectivity parameter z [-] gained from frequency sweep testing.
Morphophysiological Indicators of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) Planted Inside and Outside Greenhouse, under Ecuadorian Amazon Conditions

The Ecuadorian Amazon is the poorest in the country, particularly the province of Pastaza is the largest and one of the least developed in the field of agriculture. The Universidad Estatal Amazonica initiated a research program to evaluate the adaptation of different horticultural species plants to conditions in the region, in order to contribute to food sustainability. This study analyzed the behavior of cabbage crop variety Gloria, planted under controlled conditions in the greenhouse and outside it. The morphological, physiological and crop production indicators were evaluated in both planting conditions. The results showed that the cultivation offers better morphological and physiological indicators when it was sown in the greenhouse; however the best production indicators and agricultural yield was obtained in planting outside the greenhouse, indicating that desirability of establishing this crop in the Ecuadorian Amazon without sow in the greenhouse. Original Research Article Perez et al.; JAERI, 3(4): 160-167, 2015; Article no.JAERI. 2015.044 161
Analysis and Calibration of Loran-C Signals in the Lower St. Lawrence Area Using GPS

Loran-C signals along and in the Lower St. Lawrence River, namely between Quebec City and the Gaspesia Peninsula on the south shore, between Quebec City and Havre-Saint-Pierre on the North Shore, and between Quebec City and Anticosti Island in the river, were analyzed using a mobile Loran-C coverage validation and calibration system consisting of analog and digital Loran-C receivers, differential GPS and data logging systems. The road measurements were made successively during February-March and July-August 1991 to analyse seasonal effects. The signals received from the East Coast Canada Chain (5930M, X, Y, Z) and the Northeast U.S. Chain (9960M, W, X) are discussed herein. The Field Strength and Signal to Noise Ratio measurements are compared with predicted values using various models for conductivity and atmospheric noise. The Time Difference (TD) measurements are first compared between forward and reverse runs along the road profiles to ascertain the quality and reliability of the system utilized. The differences between Winter and Summer TD measurements are then analyzed. A relatively small but significant seasonal effect is found. The GPS-derived TD distortions are compared with those derived using various models for the combined effect of the primary, secondary and additional secondary phase lags. The differences between measured and modeled distortions reaches several jis. The effect of these differences on Loran-C positions is found to reach several hundred metres in many cases. Conclusions related to the results presented herein are made, together with recommendations pertaining to the use of these results and future investigations.
effectiveness of Cucumis sativus extract versus glucosamine-chondroitin in the management of moderate osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related disease caused by the wear and tear of the joints. Presently, there is no known cure for OA, but its management involves the use of high doses of pain killers and antiinflammatory agents with different side and dependency effects. Alternative management strategies involve the use of high doses of glucosamine-chondroitin (GC). This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Q-Actin™, an aqueous extract of Cucumis sativus (cucumber; CSE) against GC in the management of moderate knee OA. Patients and methods: Overall, 122 patients (56 males and 66 females) aged between 40 and 75 years and diagnosed with moderate knee OA were included in this randomized double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial that took place in three different centers. The 180 day intervention involved two groups of 61 participants in each: the GC group, which received orally the generally prescribed dose of 1,350 mg of GC twice daily and the CSE group, which received orally10 mg twice daily of CSE. The Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analog scale, and Lequesne’s Functional Index were used to evaluate pain, stiffness, and physical function of knee OA in participants at baseline (Day 0) and on Days 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180. Results: In the CSE group, the WOMAC score was decreased by 22.44% and 70.29% on Days 30 and 180, respectively, compared to a 14.80% and 32.81% decrease in the GC group. Similar trends were observed for all the other pain scores. No adverse effect was reported during the trial period. Conclusion: The use of 10 mg CSE, twice daily, was effective in reducing pain related to moderate knee OA and can be potentially used in the management of knee pain, stiffness, and physical functions related to OA.
A preliminary survey of freshwater mollusca (gastropoda and bivalva) and distribution in the river Brahmaputra, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

The present studies the molluscan fauna from twelve sampling stations within two sites of River Brahmaputra in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Survey was carried out from December 2011 to November 2012. During survey period we have collected mollusca by hand packing from the study area and identified a total of 15 species. Altogether 15 species (10 gastropod and 5 bivalve species) were recorded during the study period. Among gastropoda Melanoides tuberculata (Muller), Indoplanorbis exustus (Deshayes) and Bellamya begalensis were most dominant species recorded from all stations and in Bivalve specie Lamellidens marginalis were found at ten stations out of twelve. Three types of habitat (Muddy, Sandy and low vegetation) also observed in the River. The study revealed that the molluscan community could be explored for possible use as biomonitors in the River Brahmaputra.