Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface roughness modulates EGFR signaling and stemness of triple-negative breast cancer cells

Introduction: Cancer stem cells (CSC), a major culprit of drug-resistant phenotypes and tumor relapse, represent less than 2 % of the bulk of TNBC cells, making them difficult to isolate, study, and thus, limiting our understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Current methods for CSC enrichment, such as 3D spheroid culture, genetic modification, and stem cell conditioning, are time consuming, expensive, and unsuitable for high-throughput assays. One way to address these limitations is to use topographical stimuli to enhance CSC populations in planar culture. Physical cues in the breast tumor microenvironment can influence cell behavior through changes in the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we used topographical cues on polystyrene films to investigate their effect on the proteome and stemness of standard TNBC cell lines. Methods: The topographical polystyrene-based array was generated using razor printing and polishing methods. Proteome data were analyzed and enriched bioprocesses were identified using R software. Stemness was assessed measuring CD44, CD24 and ALDH markers using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, detection assays, and further validated with mammosphere assay. EGF/EGFR expression and activity was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence and antibody membrane array. A dose-response assay was performed to further investigate the effect of surface topography on the sensitivity of cells to the EGFR inhibitor. Results: Surface roughness enriched the CSC population and modulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling activity in TNBC cells. Enhanced proliferation of MDA-MB-468 cells in roughness correlated with upregulation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) ligand, which in turn corresponded with a 3-fold increase in the expression of EGFR and a 42% increase in its phosphorylation compared to standard smooth culture surfaces. The results also demonstrated that phenotypic changes associated with topographical (roughness) stimuli significantly decreased the drug sensitivity to the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib. In addition, the proportion of CD44+/CD24−/ALDH+ was enhanced on surface roughness in both MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines. We also demonstrated that YAP/TAZ activation decreased in a roughness-dependent manner, confirming the mechanosensing effect of the topographies on the oncogenic activity of the cells. Discussion: Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of surface roughness as a culture strategy to influence oncogenic activity in TNBC cells and enrich CSC populations in planar cultures. Such a culture strategy may benefit high-throughput screening studies seeking to identify compounds with broader tumor efficacy.
Academic performance differences between Spanish and indigenous speakers in Ecuador

ABSTRACT The Ecuadorian government has reported remarkable learning gains regarding the academic progress of students in the educational system. However, the academic gains for indigenous students have not been clearly demonstrated. This quantitative study aimed at understanding the progress of educational reforms in Ecuador for indigenous students. These students tend to learn an indigenous language first. We focus here on the 2015–2016 student public sample datasets produced by INEVAL for fourth graders in Basic General Education (Educación General Básica; EGB). The results of the analyses indicate that urban students who spoke Spanish first outperformed rural students who learned an indigenous language first. The findings of this study also point to the importance of integrating diverse students’ assets and prior experiences as part of the curriculum to support the academic success of diverse groups of students.
Atomic photoionization in combined intense XUV free-electron and infrared laser fields

We present a systematic study of the photoionization of noble gas atoms exposed simultaneously to ultrashort (20 fs) monochromatic (1–2% spectral width) extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation from the Free-electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) and to intense synchronized near-infrared (NIR) laser pulses with intensities up to about 1013 W cm−2. Already at modest intensities of the NIR dressing field, the XUV-induced photoionization lines are split into a sequence of peaks due to the emission or absorption of several additional infrared photons. We observed a plateau-shaped envelope of the resulting sequence of sidebands that broadens with increasing intensity of the NIR dressing field. All individual lines of the nonlinear two-color ionization process are Stark-shifted, reflecting the effective intensity of the NIR field. The intensity-dependent cut-off energies of the sideband plateau are in good agreement with a classical model. The detailed structure of the two-color spectra, including the formation of individual sidebands, the Stark shifts and the contributions beyond the classical cut-off, however, requires a fully quantum mechanical description, as is demonstrated with time-dependent quantum calculations in single-active electron approximation.
Longitudinal progression of choroid plexus enlargement is associated with female sex, cognitive decline and ApoE E4 homozygote status

Introduction Choroid plexus (CP)-related mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. In this pilot study, we aimed to elucidate the association between longitudinal changes in CP volume, sex and cognitive impairment. Methods We assessed longitudinal changes in CP volume in a cohort of n = 613 subjects across n = 2,334 datapoints from ADNI 2 and ADNI-GO, belonging to cognitively unimpaired (CN), stable mild cognitive impairment (MCI), clinically diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease dementia (AD) or convertor (to either AD or MCI) subgroups. CP volume was automatically segmented and used as a response variable in linear mixed effect models with random intercept clustered by patient identity. Temporal effects of select variables were assessed by interactions and subgroup analyses. Results We found an overall significant increase of CP volume in time (14.92 mm3 per year, 95% confidence interval, CI (11.05, 18.77), p < 0.001). Sex-disaggregated results showed an annual rate of increase 9.48 mm3 in males [95% CI (4.08, 14.87), p < 0.001], and 20.43 mm3 in females [95% CI (14.91, 25.93), p < 0.001], indicating more than double the rate of increase in females, which appeared independent of other temporal variables. The only diagnostic group with a significant CP increase as compared to CN was the convertors group, with an increase of 24.88 mm3/year [95% CI (14, 35.82), p < 0.001]. ApoE exhibited a significant temporal effect, with the E4 homozygote group’s CP increasing at more than triple the rate of non-carrier or heterozygote groups [40.72, 95% CI (25.97, 55.46), p < 0.001 vs. 12.52, 95% CI (8.02, 17.02), p < 0.001 for ApoE E4 homozygotes and E4 non-carriers, respectively], and may have modified the diagnostic group relationship. Conclusion Our results contribute to potential mechanisms for sex differences in cognitive impairment with a novel finding of twice the annual choroid plexus enlargement in females and provide putative support for CP-related mechanisms of cognitive deterioration and its relationship to ApoE E4.
Reconstructive Peri-Implantitis Therapy by Using Bovine Bone Substitute with or without Hyaluronic Acid: A Randomized Clinical Controlled Pilot Study

Background: The present pilot study aimed to assess clinical and radiographic efficiencies of bovine bone substitute (BBS) merged with hyaluronic acid (HA) in peri-implantits reconstructive surgery. Methods: Peri-implantitis (diagnosed 6.03 ± 1.61 years of implant loading) bone defects were randomly treated either with BBS plus HA (test group) or BBS alone (control group). Clinical parameters including peri-implant probing depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), implant stability (ISQ), and radiographic changes in vertical and horizontal marginal bone (MB) levels were assessed at six months postoperatively. New temporary and permanent screw-retained crowns were made at two weeks and three months postoperatively. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests. Results: In both groups, 75% of patients and 83% of implants achieved treatment success after six months (no BOP, PPD <5 mm, and no further MB loss). Clinical outcomes improved over time within groups; however, without significant difference between them. ISQ value obtained significant increases in the test compared to the control group at six months postoperatively (p < 0.05). The vertical MB gain was significantly greater in the test group compared to the control (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Short-term outcomes suggested that BBS merged with HA could improve clinical and radiographic outcomes in peri-implantitis reconstructive therapy.
Intraoral Scans of Full Dental Arches: An In Vitro Measurement Study of the Accuracy of Different Intraoral Scanners

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of different intraoral scanners (IOS), according to different scanning strategies and to the experience of the operator. Six IOS setups were used in this study. Ten scans of a complete epoxy-resin-made maxillary dental arch were performed with each IOS, using four different scanning techniques (manufacturer-suggested scanning strategy, cut-out rescan technique, simplified scanning technique, novel scanning technique). Scans were also performed by an expert operator in the field of digital dentistry. An operator with no experience in the field of intraoral scans performed 10 scans following each of the scanning strategy suggested by the manufacturer. The master model was scanned with an industrial high-resolution reference scanner to obtain a highly accurate digitized reference model. All the digital models were aligned with the reference model using a software aimed at comparing the STL files. A total of n = 300 scans were performed. Once the data were pooled, Medit i700 and Primescan obtained the best results in terms of both trueness and precision, showing no statistically significative differences (p > 0.05) to the first and the second scanning technique, Medit i700 scanner allowed to obtain the best values both in terms of trueness (24.4 ± 2.1 μm and 21.4 ± 12.9 μm, respectively) and precision compared to other IOS (23.0 ± 1.6 μm and 30.0 ± 18.0 μm, respectively). When considering the third scanning technique, Medit i700 recorded the best values in terms of trueness while Primescan recorded the best values in terms of precision (24.0 ± 2.7 μm and 26.8 ± 13.7 μm, respectively). When considering the two operators, significant differences between the two were found only with Medit i700 (p < 0.001). The examined IOS showed statistically significant differences in terms of trueness and precision. The used scanning strategy is a factor influencing the accuracy of IOS. Considering the expertise of the operators, clinically scanning strategies are not operative sensitive in terms of accuracy.
Neoadjuvant osimertinib and chemotherapy for stage IIIA primary pulmonary carcinosarcoma with EGFR 19DEL mutation: A case report

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have been frequently detected in patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma. EGFR Exon 19Del and 21L858R mutations are the two most common EGFR mutations. EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are widely employed to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations. Recently, there has been rapid growth in clinical trials assessing neoadjuvant targeted therapy, indicating good application prospects owing to high efficiency and low toxicity. Herein, we discuss the case of a 56-year-old male patient who was initially diagnosed with stage IIIA pulmonary adenocarcinoma (AJCC,8th edition) of the left lower lung with an EGFR Exon 19Del mutation. The patient was treated with osimertinib but failed to undergo timely review and surgery. Subsequently, the patient underwent two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) combined with neoadjuvant targeted therapy. After the tumor load and size had significantly decreased, radical surgery was successfully performed under thoracoscopy. However, postoperative pathology revealed carcinosarcoma, pT2aN0M0, stage IB, and the pathological response was 50%. The present case report provides practical clinical evidence for the application of neoadjuvant targeted therapy combined with chemotherapy for locally advanced primary pulmonary carcinosarcoma with EGFR mutation.
Advances in Ion Channel, Non-Desmosomal Variants and Autophagic Mechanisms Implicated in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by the replacement of cardiac myocytes with fibro-fatty tissues, leading to abnormal excitation-contraction (EC) coupling and a range of malignant events, such as ventricular tachycardia (VT), sudden cardiac death/arrest (SCD/A) and heart failure (HF). The concept of ACM has recently been ex-tended to include right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC) and biventricular cardiomyopathy. ARVC is generally seen as the most common type of ACM. The pathogenesis of ACM involves mutation variants in desmosomal or non-desmosomal gene loci, as well as various external factors, such as intense exercise, stress and infections. Ion channel alterations, autophagy and non-desmosomal variants are also important components in the development of ACM. As clinical practice enters the era of precision therapy, it is important to review recent studies on these topics to better diagnose and treat the molecular phase of ACM.
Updating SWAT+ to Clarify Understanding of In‐Stream Phosphorus Retention and Remobilization: SWAT+P.R&R

Efforts to reduce riverine phosphorus (P) loads have not been as fruitful as expected or hoped. One reason for the failure of these efforts appears to be that models used for watershed P management have understated and misrepresented the role of in‐stream processes in shaping watershed P export. Here, we update the latest release of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+), a widely used watershed management model, to better represent in‐stream P retention and remobilization (SWAT+P.R&R). We add new streambed pools where P is stored and tracked, and we incorporate three new processes driving in‐stream P dynamics: (a) deposition and resuspension of sediment‐associated P, (b) diffusion of dissolved P between the water column and streambed, and (c) adsorption and desorption of mineral P. The objective of this modeling work is to provide a diagnostic tool that enables researchers to challenge existing assumptions regarding how watersheds store, transform, and transport P. Here, in a first diagnostic analysis, SWAT+P.R&R helps reconcile in‐stream P retention theory (that P is retained at low flows and remobilized at high flows) and a discordant data set in our validation watershed. SWAT+P.R&R results (a) clarify that the theorized relationship between P retention and flow is only valid (for this point‐source affected testbed, at least) at the temporal scale of a single rising‐or‐falling hydrograph limb and (b) illustrate that hysteresis obscures the relationship at longer temporal scales. Future work using SWAT+P.R&R could further challenge assumptions regarding timescales of in‐stream P legacies and sources of P load variability.
Virtually alone: excessive Facebook use and mental health risk in Palestine, a cross sectional study

Abstract Social media has changed the face of social interaction, particularly in countries like Palestine where restrictions related to cultural and geopolitical realities create an environment of isolation for young adults. Despite its benefits, it is suggested that dependence on social media diminishes motivation to participate in naturally occurring activities and life interests lead-ing to mental health risks. The aim of this study was to assess the potential association be-tween excessive Facebook use and emotional discomfort (depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms) in a student population in Palestine. A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized in this investigation. The study population included all students at a major university in Palestine. The sample included 1003 students of mixed gender and area of study. A survey of Facebook utilization, perceived academic success and mental health risk was completed by each participant. Almost all participants [938 (98.3%)] were Facebook users with a high utilization population identified [239 (26%) spending over 3 hours daily on Face-book]and262 (28.3%) had over 300 Facebook friends. A relationship between the intensity of Facebook use/ number of Facebook friends and symptoms of anxiety and depression was found; higher levels of use predicting higher levels of symptoms (p <0.05). Furthermore, a significant association between scores on the Facebook Intensity Scale (FIS)and perceived negative effect on educational performance was demonstrated(p<0.001). The excessive use of Facebook in environments of social and leisure restriction may lead to increased risk for mental health symptomology and interfere with actual developmental tasks by negatively impacting academic achievement and other indicators of success for young adults.
Approximate solution of second kind integral equations on infinite cylindrical surfaces

The paper considers second kind integral equations of the form ? )(x) = g(x) + fs k(x, y)0(y)ds(y) (abbreviated 0 = g+Ko), in which S is an infinite cylindrical surface of arbitrary smooth cross section. The "truncated equation" (abbreviated 4)a = Eag + Ka4>a), obtained by replacing S by Sa, a closed bounded surface of class C2, the boundary of a section of the interior of S of length 2a, is also discussed. Conditions on k are obtained (in particular, implying that K commutes with the operation of translation in the direction of the cylinder axis) which ensure that I - K is invertible, that I - Ka is invertible and (I - Ka)- is uniformly bounded for all sufficiently large a, and that 'ka converges to 'k in an appropriate sense as a -+ oo. Uniform stability and convergence results for a piecewise constant boundary element collocation method for the truncated equations are also obtained. A boundary integral equation, which models three-dimensional acoustic scattering from an infinite rigid cylinder, illustrates the application of the above results to prove existence of solution (of the integral equation and the corresponding boundary value problem) and convergence of a particular collocation method.
Attitudes of Anesthesiologists toward Artificial Intelligence in Anesthesia: A Multicenter, Mixed Qualitative–Quantitative Study

Artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to play an increasingly important role in perioperative medicine in the very near future. However, little is known about what anesthesiologists know and think about AI in this context. This is important because the successful introduction of new technologies depends on the understanding and cooperation of end users. We sought to investigate how much anesthesiologists know about AI and what they think about the introduction of AI-based technologies into the clinical setting. In order to better understand what anesthesiologists think of AI, we recruited 21 anesthesiologists from 2 university hospitals for face-to-face structured interviews. The interview transcripts were subdivided sentence-by-sentence into discrete statements, and statements were then grouped into key themes. Subsequently, a survey of closed questions based on these themes was sent to 70 anesthesiologists from 3 university hospitals for rating. In the interviews, the base level of knowledge of AI was good at 86 of 90 statements (96%), although awareness of the potential applications of AI in anesthesia was poor at only 7 of 42 statements (17%). Regarding the implementation of AI in anesthesia, statements were split roughly evenly between pros (46 of 105, 44%) and cons (59 of 105, 56%). Interviewees considered that AI could usefully be used in diverse tasks such as risk stratification, the prediction of vital sign changes, or as a treatment guide. The validity of these themes was probed in a follow-up survey of 70 anesthesiologists with a response rate of 70%, which confirmed an overall positive view of AI in this group. Anesthesiologists hold a range of opinions, both positive and negative, regarding the application of AI in their field of work. Survey-based studies do not always uncover the full breadth of nuance of opinion amongst clinicians. Engagement with specific concerns, both technical and ethical, will prove important as this technology moves from research to the clinic.
Measuring the magnetostriction of thin films using an optical displacement meter

Using a commercially available optical displacement meter, the deflection caused by magnetostriction is measured. A displacement sensitivity of 0.1 mu m enables magnetostriction as low as 4*10-7 to be measured in a 1 mu m thick film. Two different probes are used to measure deflection when an applied magnetic field is rotated in the film plane and when rotated in a plane perpendicular to the film. Two parameters, lambda 100 and lambda 111, can be obtained from measurements using two probes. The measured value of the Ni film showed agreement with reported bulk values within 10%.
Indigenous stewardship of coastal resources in native California

Indigenous people have profoundly influenced terrestrial and marine ecosystems by modifying coastal habitats to increase the productivity of target species and altering local biotas through their harvesting practices. In some cases, these actions led to local resource depression, while in other instances, Indigenous people engaged with terrestrial and marine resources in sustainable ways, increasing the resilience of ecosystems. In this paper, we interrogate human-environmental relationships that span the last ∼7,000 years of Indigenous engagement with coastal resources on the central California coast. Through a historical ecological framework, we assess how Indigenous peoples interacted with terrestrial and marine ecosystems differently across space and through time. In the Middle Holocene, the region’s archaeology is typified by mobile populations using diverse terrestrial and marine resources. By the Late Holocene, Indigenous peoples intensified their economies towards a limited number of marine and terrestrial species. During this time, Indigenous people initiated sustained fire management practices that created habitat mosaics still reflected in the contemporary landscape. In the Late Holocene, people also developed resource harvesting strategies for California mussels and forage fishes geared towards long-term productivity.