Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Red Flags, Prognostic Impact, and Management of Patients With Cardiac Amyloidosis and Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has been recently recognized as a condition frequently associated with aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to evaluate: the main characteristics of patients with AS with and without CA, the impact of CA on patients with AS mortality, and the effect of different treatment strategies on outcomes of patients with AS with concomitant CA. Materials and Methods A detailed search related to CA in patients with AS and outcomes was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Seventeen studies enrolling 1,988 subjects (1,658 AS alone and 330 AS with CA) were included in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of main patients with AS characteristics with and without CA, difference in mortality, and treatment strategy. Results The prevalence of CA resulted in a mean of 15.4% and it was even higher in patients with AS over 80 years old (18.2%). Patients with the dual diagnosis were more often males, had lower body mass index (BMI), were more prone to have low flow, low gradient with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction AS phenotype, had higher E/A and E/e', and greater interventricular septum hypertrophy. Lower Sokolow–Lyon index, higher QRS duration, higher prevalence of right bundle branch block, higher levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and high-sensitivity troponin T were significantly associated with CA in patients with AS. Higher overall mortality in the 178 patients with AS + CA in comparison to 1,220 patients with AS alone was observed [odds ratio (OR) 2.25, p = 0.004]. Meta-regression analysis showed that younger age and diabetes were associated with overall mortality in patients with CS with CA (Z-value −3.0, p = 0.003 and Z-value 2.5, p = 0.013, respectively). Finally, patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) had a similar overall mortality risk, but lower than medication-treated only patients. Conclusion Results from our meta-analysis suggest that several specific clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic features can be considered “red flags” of CA in patients with AS. CA negatively affects the outcome of patients with AS. Patients with concomitant CA and AS benefit from SAVR or TAVI.
Performance Assessment of the Cloud for Prototypical Instant Computing Approaches in Geoscientific Hazard Simulations

Computing forecasts of hazards, such as tsunamis, requires fast reaction times and high precision, which in turn demands for large computing facilities that are needed only in rare occasions. Cloud computing environments allow to configure largely scalable on-demand computing environments. In this study, we tested two of the major cloud computing environments for parallel scalability for relevant prototypical applications. These applications solve stationary and non-stationary partial differential equations by means of finite differences and finite elements. These test cases demonstrate the capacity of cloud computing environments to provide scalable computing power for typical tasks in geophysical applications. As a proof-of-concept example of an instant computing application for geohazards, we propose a workflow and prototypical implementation for tsunami forecasting in the cloud. We demonstrate that minimal on-site computing resources are necessary for such a forecasting environment. We conclude by outlining the additional steps necessary to implement an operational tsunami forecasting cloud service, considering availability and cost.
Diversity Training With Robots: Perspective-Taking Backfires, While Sterotype-Suppression Decreases Negative Attitudes Towards Robots

The present research investigated the effects of a diversity training intervention on robot-related attitudes to test whether this could help to manage the diversity inherent in hybrid human-robot teams in the work context. Previous research in the human-human context has shown that stereotypes and prejudice, i.e., negative attitudes, may impair productivity and job satisfaction in teams high in diversity (e.g., regarding age, gender, or ethnicity). Relatedly, in hybrid human-robot teams, robots likely represent an “outgroup” to their human co-workers. The latter may have stereotypes towards robots and may hold negative attitudes towards them. Both aspects might have detrimental effects on subjective and objective performance in human-robot interactions (HRI). In an experiment, we tested the effect of an economic and easy to apply diversity training intervention for use in the work context: The so-called enlightenment approach. This approach utilizes perspective-taking to reduce prejudice and discrimination in human-human contexts. We adapted this intervention to the HRI context and explored its impact on participants’ implicit and explicit robot-related attitudes. However, contrary to our predictions, taking the perspective of a robot resulted in more negative robot-related attitudes, whereas actively suppressing stereotypes about social robots and their characteristics produced positive effects on robot attitudes. Therefore, we recommend considering potential pre-existing aversions against taking the perspective of a robot when designing interventions to improve human-robot collaboration at the workplace. Instead, it might be useful to provide information about existing stereotypes and their consequences, thereby making people aware of their potential biases against social robots.
Developing High-Affinity Decoy Receptor Optimized for Multiple Myeloma and Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Treatment

Recent T Cell therapies have been effective in the treatment of hematological cancers. However, immunotoxicity and treatment relapse pose significant clinical challenges. Here, we revealed distinctive requirement for neutralizing TNF receptor ligands APRIL and BAFF in MM and DLBCL. Furthermore, we investigated the use of BCMA decoy receptor (sBCMA-Fc) as a therapeutic inhibitor of ARPIL and BAFF. While wild-type sBCMA-Fc successfully blocked APRIL signaling with picomolar binding affinity, inhibiting tumor growth in MM models, it lacked efficacy in inhibiting DLBCL progression due to its weak binding for BAFF. To expand the therapeutic utility of sBCMA-Fc, using a protein engineering approach, we generated an affinity enhanced mutant sBCMA-Fc fusion molecule (sBCMA-Fc V3) with 4-folds and 500-folds enhancement in binding to APRIL and BAFF respectively. The sBCMA-Fc V3 clone significantly enhanced antitumor activity against both MM and DLBCL. Importantly, sBCMA-Fc V3 was proven to be a viable clinical candidate by showing adequate toxicity profile and on-target mechanism of action in nonhuman primates. SUMMARY This study demonstrates the dichotomous function of APRIL and BAFF in MM and DLBCL, that can be safely targeted by an engineered fusion protein designed to trap APRIL and BAFF with ultra-high binding affinity.
Innovation and Emerging Roles of Populus trichocarpa TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR Transcription Factors in Abiotic Stresses by Whole-Genome Duplication

The TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) family proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that have been well-acknowledged for designing the architectures of plant branch, shoot, and inflorescence. However, evidence for their innovation and emerging role in abiotic stress has been lacking. In this study, we identified a total of 36 TCP genes in Populus trichocarpa, 50% more than that in Arabidopsis (i.e., 24). Comparative intra-genomes showed that such significant innovation was mainly due to the most recent whole genome duplication (rWGD) in Populus lineage around Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary after the divergence from Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis showed that the expressions of PtrTCP genes varied among leaf, stem, and root, and they could also be elaborately regulated by abiotic stresses (e.g., cold and salt). Moreover, co-expression network identified a cold-associated regulatory module including PtrTCP31, PtrTCP10, and PtrTCP36. Of them, PtrTCP10 was rWGD-duplicated from PtrTCP31 and evolved a strong capability of cold induction, which might suggest a neofunctionalization of PtrTCP genes and contribute to the adaptation of Populus lineage during the Cenozoic global cooling. Evidentially, overexpression of PtrTCP10 into Arabidopsis increased freezing tolerance and salt susceptibility. Integrating co-expression network and cis-regulatory element analysis confirmed that PtrTCP10 can regulate the well-known cold- and salt-relevant genes (e.g., ZAT10, GolS2, and SOS1), proving that PtrTCP10 is an evolutionary innovation in P. trichocarpa response to environmental changes. Altogether, our results provide evidence of the rWGD in P. trichocarpa responsible for the innovation of PtrTCP genes and their emerging roles in environmental stresses.
Pearl Millet Aquaporin Gene PgPIP2;6 Improves Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br. ] is an important cereal crop of the semiarid tropics, which can withstand prolonged drought and heat stress. Considering an active involvement of the aquaporin (AQP) genes in water transport and desiccation tolerance besides several basic functions, their potential role in abiotic stress tolerance was systematically characterized and functionally validated. A total of 34 AQP genes from P. glaucum were identified and categorized into four subfamilies, viz., plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), nodulin-26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs), and small basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs). Sequence analysis revealed that PgAQPs have conserved characters of AQP genes with a closer relationship to sorghum. The PgAQPs were expressed differentially under high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and progressive drought stresses where the PgPIP2;6 gene showed significant expression under high VPD and drought stress. Transgenic tobacco plants were developed by heterologous expression of the PgPIP2;6 gene and functionally characterized under different abiotic stresses to further unravel their role. Transgenic tobacco plants in the T2 generations displayed restricted transpiration and low root exudation rates in low- and high-VPD conditions. Under progressive drought stress, wild-type (WT) plants showed a quick or faster decline of soil moisture than transgenics. While under heat stress, PgPIP2;6 transgenics showed better adaptation to heat (40°C) with high canopy temperature depression (CTD) and low transpiration; under low-temperature stress, they displayed lower transpiration than their non-transgenic counterparts. Cumulatively, lower transpiration rate (Tr), low root exudation rate, declined transpiration, elevated CTD, and lower transpiration indicate that PgPIP2;6 plays a role under abiotic stress tolerance. Since the PgPIP2;6 transgenic plants exhibited better adaptation against major abiotic stresses such as drought, high VPD, heat, and cold stresses by virtue of enhanced transpiration efficiency, it has the potential to engineer abiotic stress tolerance for sustained growth and productivity of crops.
Effects of Preserving the Pulmonary Vagus Nerve Branches on Cough After Pneumonectomy During Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Background Cough is one of the most common complications of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The vagus nerve plays an important role in pulmonary inflammation and the cough reflex. In this study, we attempted to reduce the incidence of postoperative chronic cough and other complications by preserving the pulmonary vagus nerve branches. Patients and Methods This study was a randomized controlled double-blinded trial of subjects and observers. A total of 158 NSCLC patients were enrolled. We randomly assigned 79 patients to Group A (pulmonary branch of vagus nerve preservation group) and 79 cases to Group B (conventional surgical treatment group). In the final analysis, 72 patients from Group A and 69 patients from Group B were included. The main outcome measure of the study was the occurrence of CAP or other postoperative complications within five weeks. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT03921828). Results There was no significant difference in preoperative general clinical data between the two groups. No death during the perioperative period occurred in either of the two groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, number of lymph nodes sent for examination, number of cases transferred to ICU after operation, postoperative catheterization time, or postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in other pulmonary and cardiovascular complications between the two groups, including pulmonary infection (2.78% vs. 8.70%, P = 0.129), atelectasis (1.39% vs. 0%, P = 0.326), pleural effusion (2.78% vs. 1.45%, P = 0.585), persistent pulmonary leakage (2.78% vs. 2.90%, P = 0.965), arrhythmia (2.78% vs. 1.45%, P = 0.585), and heart failure (0% vs. 1.45%, P = 0.305). The incidence of CAP in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B (13.89% vs. 30.43%, P = 0.018). The LCQ-MC scores in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B at two and five weeks after operation (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for postoperative CAP were surgical side (right lung), surgical lung lobe (upper lobe), preservation of pulmonary branch of the vagus nerve during operation, and duration of anesthesia. Conclusions Preserving the pulmonary vagus nerve branches during VATS in patients with stage IA1-2 NSCLC can reduce the incidence of postoperative CAP.
Affect and Cognition in Managerial Decision Making: A Systematic Literature Review of Neuroscience Evidence

How do affect and cognition interact in managerial decision making? Over the last decades, scholars have investigated how managers make decisions. However, what remains largely unknown is the interplay of affective states and cognition during the decision-making process. We offer a systematization of the contributions produced on the role of affect and cognition in managerial decision making by considering the recent cross-fertilization of management studies with the neuroscience domain. We implement a Systematic Literature Review of 23 selected contributions dealing with the role of affect and cognition in managerial decisions that adopted neuroscience techniques/points of view. Collected papers have been analyzed by considering the so-called reflexive (X-) and reflective (C-) systems in social cognitive neuroscience and the type of decisions investigated in the literature. Results obtained help to support an emerging “unified” mind processing theory for which the two systems of our mind are not in conflict and for which affective states have a driving role toward cognition. A research agenda for future studies is provided to scholars who are interested in advancing the investigation of affect and cognition in managerial decision making, also through neuroscience techniques – with the consideration that these works should be at the service of the behavioral strategy field.
Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Outcomes in Patients With Fontan Circulation: A State-of-the-Art Review

Children, adolescents and adults living with Fontan circulation face numerous neurological and developmental challenges. As the population with complex CHD increases thanks to outstanding improvement in medical and surgical care, the long-term developmental and mental health sequelae have become a public health priority in pediatric and congenital cardiology. Many patients with a Fontan circulation experience difficulty in areas of cognition related to attention and executive functioning, visual spatial reasoning and psychosocial development. They are also at high risk for mental health morbidities, particularly anxiety disorders and depression. Several hemodynamic risk factors, beginning during the fetal period, may influence outcomes and yield to abnormal brain growth and development. Brain injury such as white matter lesions, stroke or hemorrhage can occur before, during, or after surgery. Other sociodemographic and surgical risk factors such as multiple catheterizations and surgeries and prolonged hospital stay play a detrimental role in patients' neurodevelopmental prognosis. Prevention and intervention to optimize long-term outcomes are critical in the care of this vulnerable population with complex CHD.
CRISPR Detection and Research on Screening Mutant Gene TTN of Moyamoya Disease Family Based on Whole Exome Sequencing

Moyamoya disease (MMD) has a high incidence in Asian populations and demonstrates some degree of familial clustering. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is useful in establishing key related genes in familial genetic diseases but is time-consuming and costly. Therefore, exploring a new method will be more effective for the diagnosis of MMD. We identified familial cohorts showing MMD susceptibility and performed WES on 5 affected individuals to identify susceptibility loci, which identified point mutation sites in the titin (TTN) gene (rs771533925, rs559712998 and rs72677250). Moreover, TTN mutations were not found in a cohort of 50 sporadic MMD cases. We also analyzed mutation frequencies and used bioinformatic predictions to reveal mutation harmfulness, functions and probabilities of disease correlation, the results showed that rs771533925 and rs72677250 were likely harmful mutations with GO analyses indicating the involvement of TTN in a variety of biological processes related to MMD etiology. CRISPR-Cas12a assays designed to detect TTN mutations provided results consistent with WES analysis, which was further confirmed by Sanger sequencing. This study recognized TTN as a new familial gene marker for moyamoya disease and moreover, demonstrated that CRISPR-Cas12a has the advantages of rapid detection, low cost and simple operation, and has broad prospects in the practical application of rapid detection of MMD mutation sites.
The Simultaneous Formation of Acrylamide, β-carbolines, and Advanced Glycation End Products in a Chemical Model System: Effect of Multiple Precursor Amino Acids

This study investigated the effect of multiple precursor amino acids on the simultaneous formation of acrylamide, β-carbolines (i. e., harmane and norharmane), and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) [i.e., Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine and Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine] via a chemical model system. This model system was established with single or multiple precursor amino acids, including lysine–glucose (Lys/Glu), asparagine–glucose (Asn/Glu), tryptophan–glucose (Trp/Glu), and a combination of these amino acids (Com/Glu). Kinetic parameters were calculated by multiresponse non-linear regression models. We found that the k values of the AGEs and of acrylamide decreased, while those of harmane increased in the Com/Glu model when heated to 170 and 200°C. Our results indicated that the precursor amino acid of acrylamide and AGEs compete for α-dicarbonyl compounds, leading to a decrease in the formation of AGEs and acrylamide. Moreover, compared with asparagine, the precursor amino acid of β-carbolines was more likely to react with acetaldehyde by Pictet–Spengler condensation, which increased the formation of harmane and decreased the formation of acrylamide via the acrolein pathway.
When Is It Appropriate to Take Off the Mask? Signaling Pathways That Regulate ß(1,3)-Glucan Exposure in Candida albicans

Candida spp. are an important source of systemic and mucosal infections in immune compromised populations. However, drug resistance or toxicity has put limits on the efficacy of current antifungals. The C. albicans cell wall is considered a good therapeutic target due to its roles in viability and fungal pathogenicity. One potential method for improving antifungal strategies could be to enhance the detection of fungal cell wall antigens by host immune cells. (1,3)-glucan, which is an important component of fungal cell walls, is a highly immunogenic epitope. Consequently, multiple host pattern recognition receptors, such as dectin-1, complement receptor 3 (CR3), and the ephrin type A receptor A (EphA2) are capable of recognizing exposed (unmasked) (1,3)-glucan moieties on the cell surface to initiate an anti-fungal immune response. However, (1,3)-glucan is normally covered (masked) by a layer of glycosylated proteins on the outer surface of the cell wall, hiding it from immune detection. In order to better understand possible mechanisms of unmasking (1,3)-glucan, we must develop a deeper comprehension of the pathways driving this phenotype. In this review, we describe the medical importance of (1,3)-glucan exposure in anti-fungal immunity, and highlight environmental stimuli and stressors encountered within the host that are capable of inducing changes in the levels of surface exposed (1,3)-glucan. Furthermore, particular focus is placed on how signal transduction cascades regulate changes in (1,3)-glucan exposure, as understanding the role that these pathways have in mediating this phenotype will be critical for future therapeutic development.
Effective Behaviors in Work Teams: Spanish Adaptation of the Individual Behavior Analysis Scale

There are hardly any instruments to measure teamwork behaviors from an individual approach. This applies both in interprofessional teams or not, and in teams involved in health, social care, and other areas. The Individual Behavior Analysis (IBA) scale measures efficacious behavior in work teams. It is one of the few instruments proposed in the literature to measure personal skills necessary for teamwork. Only a previous exploratory analysis of the scale was informed in another study. This article analyzes its internal structure using different confirmatory factor analyses and its internal consistency, with a sample of 815 employees working for Spanish social organizations in the geriatric field, both private and public. The results of the definitive version adapted to Spanish, referred to as Individual Behavior Analysis −25, indicate a good fit of the model to the data and good reliability. Factor analysis confirmed the existence of two factors: Communication skills and Acceptance, with good internal consistency coefficients. This scale is a useful instrument for assessing, based on the reviewed literature, two of the most important individual skills an efficacious team should have.