Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression Profile and Prognostic Values of CDH Family Members in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Many studies have confirmed that the classical cadherin (CDH) gene family may be involved in the development and progression of various tumors. However, the comprehensive assays of CDH family members in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) were rarely reported. In this study, our group analyzed TCGA datasets and identified 18 dysregulated CDH members in LUAD specimens. Several CDH members exhibited an increased level in LUAD specimens, such as CDH1, CDH2, CDH3, CDH4, CDH5, CDH15, CDH16, CDH17, CDH18, CDH24, and CDH26. However, some others exhibited decreased levels in LUAD specimens. Correlation analysis revealed that most CDH members were negatively regulated by the methylation of CDH genes, leading to their low expression in LUAD tissues. Survival assays identified 16 survival-related CDH members in LUAD patients. More importantly, we further performed multivariate analysis to determine the prognostic value of the above CDH family members and found that the expression levels of CDH17, CDH19, and CDH24 were an independent prognostic biomarker of the LUAD outcome. Finally, the results of functional enrichments revealed that CDH members participated in several tumor-related pathways. Collectively, our findings suggest that CDH Family members functioned as oncogenes or antioncogenes in LUAD and may be a potential biomarker for this malignancy.
Combined Evaluation of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Modified Creatinine Index for Predicting Mortality in Patients on Hemodialysis

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and modified creatinine index (mCI) are surrogate markers of protein-energy wasting in patients receiving hemodialysis. We aimed to examine whether a combined evaluation of these indices improved mortality prediction in this population. We retrospectively investigated 263 hemodialysis patients divided into two groups, using 91.2 and 20.16 mg/kg/day as cut-off values of GNRI and mCI, respectively. The resultant four groups were reshuffled into four subgroups defined using combinations of cut-off values of both indices and were followed up. During the follow-up period (median: 3.1 years), 103 patients died (46/103, cardiovascular causes). Lower GNRI and lower mCI were independently associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 4.96, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.10–7.94, and aHR 1.92, 95% CI 1.22–3.02, respectively). The aHR value for the lower GNRI and lower mCI group vs. the higher GNRI and higher mCI group was 7.95 (95% CI 4.38–14.43). Further, the addition of GNRI and mCI to the baseline risk assessment model significantly improved the C-index of all-cause mortality (0.801 to 0.835, p = 0.025). The simultaneous evaluation of GNRI and mCI could be clinically useful to stratify the risk of mortality and to improve the predictability of mortality in patients on hemodialysis.
Bursting Translation on Single mRNAs in Live Cells

Stochasticity has emerged as a mechanism to control gene expression. Much of this so-called “noise” has been attributed to bursting transcription. However, the stochasticity of translation has not similarly been investigated due to a lack of enabling imaging technologies. We developed techniques to track single mRNAs and their translation in live cells for hours, allowing measurement of previously uncharacterized translation dynamics. We applied genetic and pharmacological perturbations to control translation kinetics. Like transcription, translation is not a constitutive process but instead cycles between inactive and active states or “bursts”. But unlike transcription, which is largely frequency modulated, complex structure in the 5’-untranslated region alters burst amplitude. Bursting frequency can be controlled through cap-proximal sequences and trans-acting factors such as eIF4F. We coupled single molecule imaging with stochastic modeling to deduce the fundamental kinetic parameters of translational bursting, a new dimension of translational control. Highlights Long-term tracking of single mRNAs reveals multi-state, bursting translation Structure in the 5’-untranslated region modulates translational burst amplitude 5’-cap proximal sequences modulate translational burst frequency mTOR signaling adjusts translation bursting to respond to environmental cues
Do Value Orientations and Beliefs Play a Positive Role in Shaping Personal Norms for Urban Green Space Conservation?

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) have a huge contribution to the health of urban ecosystems. However, they are threatened by numerous factors such as rapid urbanization, resource depletion, and climate change. These factors are inextricably linked to human behaviors, guided by the values and beliefs of people. According to value-belief-norm theory and norm activation model, personal norms are defined as self-expectations of pro-environmental behavior influenced by the ascription of responsibility and awareness of consequences in values and beliefs. When the conditions of responsibility and consequence awareness are met, individuals are more likely to experience a sense of moral obligation to exhibit environmentally responsible behavior. To address conservation and better enable UGS to have a positive function, we must explore how to promote the development of personal norms that are beneficial to UGS conservation. This study explored the influence that UGS values and beliefs have on personal norms. A questionnaire was administered to 1641 urban residents in Beijing, China, and Partial Least Square Structural Modeling was used to assess the causal relationship in the formation of personal norms on UGS conservation. The results showed that intrinsic, instrumental, and relational UGS value orientations contribute directly or indirectly to the formation of personal norms for the conservation of UGS through environmental beliefs as mediators, with the most significant effect being the relational value orientations. The results of the study can provide scientific guidance for future public participation in UGS conservation.
The Effect of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) growth

Tomato is a plant of solanaceae family, has short stems, and grows well in tropical climates. Tomatoes have vegetative and generative growth phases. The availability of nutrients largely determines the vegetative growth phase. The purpose of the study is to determine: (1) the effect of vermicompost on tomato growth, (2) the effect of NPK fertilizer treatment on tomato growth, (3) the interaction effect of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer on tomato growth. The research was conducted using experimental methods. The research was carried out from April to July 2021. The research design was a 4 x 5 complete random factorial design with three repetitions. NPK fertilizer consisted of 4 levels of treatment doses, while vermicompost consisted of 5 levels of treatment doses. The research finding shows that the application of NPK fertilizer of 0.8 grams per plant significantly affected stem diameter, the number of compound leaves, leaf length, and stem height of tomatoes. Treatment of vermicompost of 1.8 kg of vermicompost resulted in the best stem diameter, number of compound leaves, leaf length, and stem height. The combination of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer had no significant effect on stem diameter, the number of compound leaves, leaf length, and stem height of tomatoes.
Mitigation of recurrent perturbation mortality is an important goal for river restoration and conservation of freshwater fish species

Human perturbations affect many aquatic ecosystems globally. We use age‐structured matrix population models to explore how population growth rates in short‐lived freshwater fish are affected by recurrent environmental perturbations to river ecosystems. Simulations are summarized to reveal how species‐specific fitness characteristics contribute to population sustainability in habitats subject to recurrent perturbation. Deterministic calculations are used to estimate time to population recovery with successive years of intermittence disturbance, followed by post‐perturbation equilibrium conditions. Perturbation that reduces only juvenile survival has a shorter recovery time to initial population size and greater resilience of population growth than when adult survival is reduced. Consecutive occurrences of perturbation lengthen recovery time nonlinearly, more notably when adults experience perturbation mortality. We illustrate with an example how managers could identify multiple options to mitigate recurrent ecosystem perturbations by reducing perturbation frequency and/or mitigating perturbation mortality. Our simulations suggest parameter approximations for a hypothetical species provide a useful frame of reference for river restoration and conservation when life history data are lacking for a specific species of concern.
To Change or Not to Change: A Study of Workplace Change during the COVID-19 Pandemic

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees were suddenly required to work more from home. Previous literature on working from home may not be applicable to this mandatory and overall change. In this study, we drew on the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model to explore the relationships between job demands (workload and work–home conflict) as well as resources (support from leaders, coworkers, and the family) and wellbeing (burnout and work engagement) in employees who still went to the workplace (no-change group) and employees who transitioned into working from home (change group) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed with multivariate structural equation modeling. The results indicate that work–home conflict was detrimental for employee wellbeing in both groups. Interestingly, the workload seems to contribute to work engagement for employees who worked from home. Regarding the resources, the three different sources of social support, leaders, coworkers, and family, were all related to employee wellbeing, but in different ways. It seemed that family support was most important for employees’ wellbeing in the change group. This study presents implications for the wellbeing of employees in both the change and no-change group during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of family-friendly policies.
Can Mathematical Models Describe Spear Rot Progress in Oil Palm Trees? A Five-Year Black Weevil-Disease Assessment from Ecuador

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacquin) tree yields may be negatively affected by biotic factors such as Black weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum L.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Spear rot (Fusarium spp.). This study aimed to identify, model the temporal progress, and correlate Black weevil (BW) and Spear rot (SR) in the highly susceptible varieties INIAP-Tenera and IRHO, under field conditions in Ecuador between 2016 and 2020. Morphological analysis of BW and morphomolecular study of the causal agent of SR allowed us to identify Rhynchophorus palmarum and Fusarium solani, respectively, as biotic factors that affect oil palm trees in Ecuador. The number of adults increased in both genotypes over the years, but much more in INIAP-Tenera (in 2017 and 2019). The logistic model, having a smaller mean square of the residue, was the non-linear model that best explained the SR epidemic in both susceptible genotypes. The incidence of dead palms was higher in INIAP-Tenera trees compared to those of IRHO in the year 2020. Dead plants and the number of insects, and these with the fresh fruit bunches, were correlated significantly. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the positive correlation between dead plants (%) by SR and BW, and the study of both biotic factors in Ecuador.
Unsaturated behaviour of gypseous sand soils using a modified triaxial test apparatus

ABSTRACT This paper presents laboratory experiments on the effect of matric suction on the compressibility of unsaturated gypsum sand soil. The samples were obtained from Al-Najaf city in Iraq with gypsum contents of 14%, 22%, and 29%. Two series of laboratory tests were conducted. The first one is loading-path likes when a building is constructed on these soils in a specific degree of saturation (specific matric suction). Four matric suctions were adopted; 100, 60, 30, and zero percentages of initial matric suction under two confining stresses; 100 kPa and 200 kPa. Also, two saturated tests (CD) were performed under the aforementioned confining stresses. The second method is wetting-path, likes when a structure has been constructed and the degree of saturation of a foundation soil increases (decreasing in matric suction). The results from both paths revealed that the volumetric strains were increased by decreasing the matric suction and increasing the gypsum content.
Return to Work during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Study on the Role of Job Demands, Job Resources, and Personal Resources upon the Administrative Staff of Italian Public Universities

Background: Compared to healthcare workers and teleworkers, occupational wellbeing of employees who continued or suddenly returned to work during the COVID-19 pandemic have received less attention thus far. Using the Job Demand–Resource model as a framework, the present study aimed at evaluating the role of job demands and job and personal resources in affecting emotional exhaustion among university administrative staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data collected through an online questionnaire completed by 364 administrative employees that continued working in presence (WP) and 1578 that continued working blended (WB), namely, partly remotely and partly in presence. Results: Among job demands, quantitative job demand overloads and perceived risk of being infected were positively associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion. Among job resources, colleague support was significantly associated with lower emotional exhaustion for both WB and WP, whereas supervisor support and fatigue management were salient only for WB. Among personal resources, personal contribution in managing COVID-19-related risk at work emerged as a protective factor for emotional exhaustion. Conclusion: Insights for the development of targeted preventive measure for a more psychologically safe and productive return to work can be derived from these results.
Market making with inventory control and order book information

We introduce a new market making algorithm, the Signal-adaptive (SA) strategy, that takes into account the empirical recurrences of the historical intra-day price series of IPOs and the current risk properties addressed by the market maker. Empirical analysis on IPO high-frequency data allows to compare the performance of the SA strategy with two state-of-art competing strategies, suggesting that the SA strategy could be suitable for the price support activity of the IPO in the first days of its issuance.
A Randomized Prospective Non-Inferiority Trial of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Breast Cancer: Blue Dye Compared with Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Tracer

Simple Summary This randomized study was conducted to evaluate sentinel lymph node biopsy with indocyanine green (ICG) compared with blue dye as a tracer in women with early breast cancer without any sign of lymph node invasion. ICG is a fluorescent tracer well known in medical practice for 50 years that is used as tracer of sentinel lymph nodes in numerous types of cancers other than breast cancer. This tracer is cheaper than radioactive tracers, with an easy learning curve. Abstract Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) is a promising tracer for sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer. This randomized study was conducted to evaluate sentinel lymph node biopsy with ICG compared with blue dye as a tracer in woman with early breast cancer without any sign of lymph node invasion. Methods: Between January 2019 and November 2020, 240 consecutive women with early breast cancer were enrolled and randomized to sentinel lymph node biopsy using ICG or blue dye. The primary endpoint was the sentinel lymph node detection rate in both arms. Results: ICG was used in 121 patients and detected sentinel lymph nodes in all patients (detection rate, 100%; 95% CI: 96.9–100.0) while blue dye was used in 119 patients and detected sentinel lymph nodes in 116 patients (detection rate: 97.5%, 95% CI: 92.9–99.1). This analysis indicated the non-inferiority of ICG vs. blue dye tracer (90%CI: −1.9–6.9; p = 0.0009). Conclusion: ICG represents a new promising tracer to detect sentinel lymph nodes in early breast cancer with a detection rate similar to other conventional tracers, and is associated with easy learning and low cost. Our result suggest that this technique is a good alternative to avoid radioactive isotope manipulation.
By Modulating the Hormonal Balance and Ribonuclease Activity of Tomato Plants Bacillus subtilis Induces Defense Response against Potato Virus X and Potato Virus Y

Endophytic plant-growth-promoting microorganisms can protect plants against pathogens, but they have rarely been investigated as potential biocontrol agents and triggers of induced systemic resistance (ISR), regulated by phytohormones, against viruses. We studied the role of endophytic strains Bacillus subtilis 26D and B. subtilis Ttl2, which secrete ribonucleases and phytohormones, in the induction of tomato plant resistance against potato virus X and potato virus Y in a greenhouse condition. The endophytes reduced the accumulation of viruses in plants, increased the activity of plant ribonucleases and recovered the fruit yield of infected tomato plants. Both the 26D and Ttl2 strains induced ISR by activating the transcription of genes related to salicylate- and jasmonate-dependent responses. The 26D and Ttl2 strains increased the content of cytokinins and decreased the level of indolacetic acid in plants infected with PVX or PVY. PVY led to an increase of the abscisic acid (ABA) content in tomato plants, and PVX had the opposite effect. Both strains reduced the ABA content in plants infected with PVY and induced ABA accumulation in plants infected with PVX, which led to an increase in the resistance of plants. This is the first report of the protection of tomato plants against viral diseases by foliar application of endophytes.
Urinary continence and erectile dysfunction results in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with endopelvic fascia preservation

Introduction: Radical prostatectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with organ-confined prostate cancer due to its oncological benefits and survival. With the advancement of technology, surgical techniques have been modified, and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is currently the procedure with the most advanced technology. Due to its multiple advantages, such as short-term functional and surgical results, shorter hospital stay and minimal invasiveness, it constitutes a valid therapeutic option to consider for this group of cancer patients. Objective: To compare the results obtained in urinary continence and erectile dysfunction after RARP with a standard da Vinci® system with 4 arms, between a group of 43 patients who underwent said procedure, without preservation of the endopelvic fascia in 2018, and 68 patients who underwent the same procedure with endopelvic fascia preservation, between January 2019 and February 2021, all at the Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, in Quito. Methodology: A retrospective longitudinal descriptive observational study was made, with the comparison of 68 prostate cancer patients who underwent radical surgery with endopelvic fascia preservation at the Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, between January 2019 and February 2021, and 43 patients who had the same surgery but without endopelvic preservation, in the year 2019. Results: One hundred eleven surgeries for prostate cancer with the robot-assisted radical prostatectomy technique were performed. Forty-three (37.8%) surgeries were made without endopelvic fascia preservation, and 68 (61.3%) were made with endopelvic fascia preservation. At the first month of follow-up, 25 (58%) patients of the RARP without endopelvic fascia preservation group, presented with severe erectile dysfunction, 11 (26%) with moderate erectile dysfunction, 6 (14%) with moderate to mild erectile dysfunction, and 1 (2%) with mild erectile dysfunction. At 6 months follow-up, of the 25 patients with severe dysfunction, 2 presented with moderate dysfunction and 23 remained with severe dysfunction. Of the patients who underwent RARP with endopelvic fascia preservation, 54 (80%) presented with mild incontinence, and 3 (4%) were completely continent making use of this technique. Furthermore, at 9 months follow-up, 90% of the patients had complete continence and 10% mild incontinence. Fifty six percent of the RARP patients with endopelvic fascia preservation presented severe sexual dysfunction at the first postoperative month. However, after pharmacological treatments, only 19% remained with erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: RARP is a safe and minimally invasive technique, it improves surgical and functional results, in the short and long terms, with respect to continence and sexual function. Endopelvic fascia preservation could improve results in the long term for continence and erectile dysfunction.
LRRC8A is dispensable for a variety of microglial functions and response to acute stroke

Microglia, resident brain immune cells, are critical in orchestrating responses to central nervous system (CNS) injury. Many microglial functions, such as phagocytosis, motility and chemotaxis, are suggested to rely on chloride channels, including the volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC), but studies to date have relied on the use of pharmacological tools with limited specificity. VRAC has also been proposed as a drug target for acute CNS injury, and its role in microglial function is of considerable interest for developing CNS therapeutics. This study aimed to definitively confirm the contribution of VRAC in microglia function by using conditional LRRC8A‐knockout mice, which lacked the essential VRAC subunit LRRC8A in microglia. We demonstrated that while VRAC contributed to cell volume regulation, it had no effect on phagocytic activity, cell migration or P2YR12‐dependent chemotaxis. Moreover, loss of microglial VRAC did not affect microglial morphology or the extent of ischemic damage following stroke. We conclude that VRAC does not critically regulate microglial responses to brain injury and could be targetable in other CNS cell types (e.g., astrocytes) without impeding microglial function. Our results also demonstrate a role for VRAC in cell volume regulation but show that VRAC is not involved in several major cellular functions that it was previously thought to regulate, and point to other, alternative mechanisms of chloride transport in innate immunity.