Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thyroid disease is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background This study investigated the relationship between thyroid diseases and the risk of breast cancer (BC). Clarifying this issue can help medical staff perform of early prevention, diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer patients. Methods The meta-analysis combined data from cohort studies and case-control to obtain a comprehensive result of the relationship between thyroid diseases and risk of BC. We comprehensively searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The search period was from the establishment of the databases to August 2020. Literature was collected and screened individually by two reviewers. There was English language restriction on the search and unpublished literature was excluded. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the selected studies prior to data extraction. The data collected included country, author, year of publication, research type, and number of cases. In cases where the data and study heterogeneity permitted, meta-analyses were performed, and odd ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Data were analyzed using the STATA 15.1 software. Results A total of 21 articles were included in this study. Hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) levels, and thyroid microsomal antibody (TPOAb) levels were all significantly associated with an increased risk of BC, while hypothyroidism was associated with a reduced risk of BC. Conclusions This study demonstrated that hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroiditis (AITD), and thyroid cancer are significantly associated with an increased risk of BC, while hypothyroidism is associated with a reduced risk of BC.
Central Neural Circuits Orchestrating Thermogenesis, Sleep-Wakefulness States and General Anesthesia States

Great progress has been made in specifically identifying the central neural circuits (CNCs) of the core body temperature (Tcore), sleep-wakefulness states (SWs), and general anesthesia states (GAs), mainly utilizing optogenetic or chemogenetic manipulations. We summarize the neuronal populations and neural pathways of these three CNCs, which gives evidence for the orchestration within these three CNCs, and the integrative regulation of these three CNCs by different environmental light signals. We also outline some transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that function in the CNCs-Tcore and are modulated by some general anesthetics, which makes TRP channels possible targets for addressing the general-anesthetics-induced-hypothermia (GAIH). We suggest this review will provide new orientations for further consummating these CNCs and elucidating the central mechanisms of GAIH.
Kinetics for Oxidation of Dibenzothiophene Catalyzed by Keggin-based Heteropoly Acids/H2O2 in [bmim]BF4

Abstract Extraction and catalytic oxidative desulfurization (ECODS) could successfully integrate phosphomolybdic acid (H3PMo12O4026H2O, PMo12), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF4) into a single efficient system that was manipulated to facilitate the separation and oxidation of sulfur compounds. The peroxometal complex was formed rapidly as PMo12 was oxidized by H2O2 and it could be solubilized in hydrophilic ionic liquid. The experimental results showed high sulfur removal up to 99.4% under the optimized desulfurization system. Kinetics of the ECODS system of dibenzothiophene was pseudo first order with the apparent activation energy of 53.8 kJ·mol−1. The catalytic reaction system could be recycled eight times without a significant decrease in reaction activity.
Diagnostic Value of Vaginal Microecology, Serum miR-18a, and PD-L1 for Identifying HPV-Positive Cervical Cancer

Objective: We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the vaginal microecology, serum miR-18a, and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) for human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cervical cancer. Methods: Eighty-four patients with HPV-positive cervical cancer were assigned to the observation group, 107 HPV-positive patients without cervical cancer were assigned to the positive group, and 191 healthy women were assigned to the control group. Vaginal microecology and serum levels of miR-18a and PD-L1 on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were compared among the 3 groups. The observation group was further divided into subgroups according to patients’ characteristics for comparison. The diagnostic value of miR-18a and PD-L1 for HPV-positive cervical cancer was investigated. Results: Women in the control group had better vaginal microecology and lower levels of miR-18a and PD-L1 than those in the observation and the positive groups (all P < 0.05). Compared with the positive group, the observation group had similar vaginal microecology (all P > 0.05) but higher levels of miR-18a and PD-L1 (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the patients at stage III had higher levels of miR-18a and PD-L1 than those at stage I and II (all P < 0.05). The values of area under the curve for miR-18a and PD-L1 in the diagnosis of HPV-positive cervical cancer were over 0.8 (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with HPV-positive cervical cancer have vaginal microbial dysbiosis and high serum levels of miR-18a and PD-L1. miR-18a and PD-L1 have diagnostic value for identifying HPV-positive cervical cancer.
Patterns of allele frequency differences among domestic cat breeds assessed by a 63K SNP array

Cats are ubiquitous companion animals that have been keenly associated with humans for thousands of years and only recently have been intentionally bred for aesthetically appealing coat looks and body forms. The intense selection on single gene phenotypes and the various breeding histories of cat breeds have left different marks on the genomes. Using a previously published 63K Feline SNP array dataset of twenty-six cat breeds, this study utilized a genetic differentiation-based method (di) to empirically identify candidate regions under selection. Defined as three or more overlapping (500Kb) windows of high levels of population differentiation, we identified a total of 205 candidate regions under selection across cat breeds with an average of 6 candidate regions per breed and an average size of 1.5 Mb per candidate region. Using the combined size of candidate regions of each breed, we conservatively estimate that a minimum of ~ 0.1-0.7% of the autosomal genome is potentially under selection in cats. As positive controls and tests of our methodology, we explored the candidate regions of known breed-defining genes (e.g., FGF5 for longhaired breeds) and we were able to detect the genes within candidate regions, each in its corresponding breed. For breed specific exploration of candidate regions under selection, eleven representative candidate regions were found to encompass potential candidate genes for several phenotypes such as brachycephaly of Persian (DLX6, DLX5, DLX2), curled ears of American Curl (MCRIP2, PBX1), and body-form of Siamese and Oriental (ADGRD1), which encourages further molecular investigations. The current assessment of the candidate regions under selection is empiric and detailed analyses are needed to rigorously disentangle effects of demography and population structure from artificial selection.
Violence exposure and burnout in healthcare sector: mediating role of work ability

Background: One of the most difficult problems faced by health care professionals is experiencing verbal and physical abuse from patients and their family members. Some studies have shown that health care workers, especially nurses, are up to 16 times more likely to be subject to violence than other workers. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between exposure to violence, work ability and burnout. Methods: Data were collected through a questionnaire to investigate health care workers’ exposure to violence (Violent Incident Form), burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) and work ability (Work Ability Index). A sample of 300 nurses was obtained for the study. Results: A total of 36% of nurses indicated that they had been a victim of violence in the past 12 months. The data analysis highlighted highly significant differences in work ability, emotional exhaustion and depersonalization between health care workers who had been victims of violence and those who had not experienced violence. Finally, work ability was shown to have a mediating effect on emotional exhaustion (indirect effect: b = 2.7, BCa CI: 1.37–4.33) and depersonalization (indirect effect: b = 1.1, BCa CI: 0.48–1.87). Discussion: This study is one of the first to consider the mediation effect of work ability between workplace violence experienced and burnout in the healthcare sector; it reports the complexity and severity of the consequences of workplace violence in this sector.
Oligometastases in head and neck carcinoma and their impact on management

Historically, patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with distant metastases were regarded as palliative. Oligometastasis (OM) refers to patients with a limited number of distant metastatic deposits. Treatment of patients with OMs has been reported in patients with lung, colon, breast, prostate and brain malignancies. Selected patients with oligometastatic HNSCC have a higher probability of durable disease control and cure and these patients should be treated aggressively. Treatment options for patients with HNSCC OMs include single or combinations of the three arms of cancer treatment, that is surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy/immunotherapy. To date, there are limited studies reporting the management of OM with head and neck malignancy. This review will give insights into the management of OMs in HNSCC.
Cross‐sex shifts in two brain imaging phenotypes and their relation to polygenic scores for same‐sex sexual behavior: A study of 18,645 individuals from the UK Biobank

Genetic and hormonal factors have been suggested to influence human sexual orientation. Previous studied proposed brain differences related to sexual orientation and that these follow cross‐sex shifted patterns. However, the neurobiological correlates of sexual orientation and how genetic factors relate to brain structural variation remains largely unexplored. Using the largest neuroimaging‐genetics dataset available on same‐sex sexual behavior (SSB) (n = 18,645), we employed a data‐driven multivariate classification algorithm (PLS) on magnetic resonance imaging data from two imaging modalities to extract brain covariance patterns related to sex. Through analyses of latent variables, we tested for SSB‐related cross‐sex shifts in such patterns. Using genotype data, polygenic scores reflecting the genetic predisposition for SSB were computed and tested for associations with neuroimaging outcomes. Patterns important for classifying between males and females were less pronounced in non‐heterosexuals. Predominantly in non‐heterosexual females, multivariate brain patterns as represented by latent variables were shifted toward the opposite sex. Complementary univariate analyses revealed region specific SSB‐related differences in both males and females. Polygenic scores for SSB were associated with volume of lateral occipital and temporo‐occipital cortices. The present large‐scale study demonstrates multivariate neuroanatomical correlates of SSB, and tentatively suggests that genetic factors related to SSB may contribute to structural variation in certain brain structures. These findings support a neurobiological basis to the differences in human sexuality.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Manifestation of Type 1 Diabetes in Childhood and Adolescence-Incidence and Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening metabolic disorder that can occur with manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of DKA at the time of the diagnosis of T1D in childhood and adolescence, the risk factors, and regional approaches to reduce the incidence of ketoacidosis. METHODS We investigated the proportion of patients under 18 years of age with DKA (defined as pH <7.3, severe DKA pH <7.1) at the manifestation of T1D in Germany in the period 2000-2019, based on data from the German-Austrian registry of diabetes (Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation, DPV). The influence of the following factors was evaluated: year of manifestation, age, sex, family history of migration (MiH), and distance from the hospital. Moreover, data from the region with and the region without a pilot screening project from 2015 onwards were compared. RESULTS Of the 41 189 patients with manifestation of T1D, 19.8% presented with DKA (n = 8154, slight increase [p <0.001] over the study period) and 6.1% (n = 2513) had severe DKA. Children under 6 years of age had DKA more often than adolescents (12-17 years) (21.7% versus 18.6%, OR 1.22 {95% CI: [1.14; 1.30]}). Girls had a higher rate of DKA than boys (20.5% versus 19.2%, OR 1.10 [1.03; 1.14]), and patients with MiH were more likely to have DKA than those without MiH (21.4% versus 18.2%, OR 1.40 [1.32; 1.48]). In the region with a pilot screening project, the DKA rate stayed the same, at 20.6%, while in the control region the rate was 22.7% with a decreasing tendency. CONCLUSION The frequency of DKA at the time of diagnosis of T1D did not decrease between 2000 and 2019 and increased towards the end of the observation period. Children with MiH, children under 6, and girls were at a higher risk of DKA.
Phytoaccumulation of Trace Elements by Wetland Plants: III. Uptake and Accumulation of Ten Trace Elements by Twelve Plant Species

Interest is increasing in using wetland plants in constructed wetlands to remove toxic elements from polluted wastewater. To identify those wetland plants that hyperaccumulate trace elements, 12 plant species were tested for their efficiency to bioconcentrate 10 potentially toxic trace elements including As, b, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, and Se. Individual plants were grown under carefully controlled conditions and supplied with 1 mg L{sup {minus}1} of each trace element individually for 10 d. Except B, all elements accumulated to much higher concentrations in roots than in shoots. Highest shoot tissue concentrations (mg kg{sup {minus}1} DW) of the various trace elements were attained by the following species: umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius L.) for Mn (198) and Cr (44); water zinnia (Wedelia trilobata Hitchc.) for Cd (148) and Ni (80); smartweed (Polygonum hydropiperoides Michx.) for Cu (95) and Pb (64); water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) for Hg (92), As (34), and Se (39); and mare's tail (hippuris vulgaris L.) for B (1132). Whereas, the following species attained the highest root tissue concentrations (mg kg{sup {minus}1} DW); stripped rush (Baumia rubiginosa) for Mn (1683); parrot's feather (Myriophyllum brasiliense Camb.) for Cd (1426) and Ni (1077); water lettuce for Cu (1038),more » Hg (1217), and As (177); smartweed for Cr (2980) and Pb (1882); mare's tail for B (1277); and monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus Fisch.) for Se (384). From a phytoremediation perspective, smartweed was probably the best plant species for trace element removal from wastewater due to its faster growth and higher plant density. « less
Phosphatic scales in vase‐shaped microfossil assemblages from Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Tasmania, and Svalbard

Although biomineralized skeletal elements dominate the Phanerozoic fossil record, they did not become common until ~550–520 Ma when independent acquisitions of biomineralization appeared in multiple lineages of animals and a few protists (single‐celled eukaryotes). Evidence of biomineralization preceding the late Ediacaran is spotty aside from the apatitic scale microfossils of the ~811 Ma Fifteenmile Group, northwestern Canada. Here, we describe scale‐shaped microfossils from four vase‐shaped microfossil (VSM)‐bearing units of later Tonian age: the Togari Group of Tasmania, Chuar and Pahrump groups of southwestern United States, and the Roaldtoppen Group of Svalbard. These scale‐shaped microfossils consist of thin, ~13 micron‐long plates typically surrounded by a 1–3 micron‐thick colorless envelope; they are found singly and in heterotypic and monotypic clusters of a few to >20 specimens. Raman spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy indicate these microfossils are composed of apatite and kerogen, just as is seen in the Fifteenmile Group scale microfossils. Despite compositional similarity, however, these scales are probably not homologous, representing instead, an independent acquisition of apatite mineralization. We propose that these apatite‐kerogen scale‐shaped microfossils are skeletal elements of a protistan cell. In particular, their consistent co‐occurrence with VSMs, and similarities with scales of arcellinid testate amoebae, a group to which the VSMs are thought to belong, suggest the possibility that these microfossils may be test‐forming scales of ancient arcellinid testate amoebae. The apparent apatite biomineralization in both these microfossils and the Fifteenmile scales is unexpected given its exceedingly rare use in skeletons of modern protists. This modern absence is attributed to the extravagance of using a limiting nutrient in a structural element, but multiple occurrences of apatite biomineralization in the Tonian suggest that phosphorus was not a limiting nutrient for these organisms, a suggestion consistent with the idea that dissolved seawater phosphate concentrations may have been higher at this time.
Exploration of SQC Formula Effect on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Whole Transcriptome Profile in Rats.

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that has turned up as dimensions of the pandemic all over the world. In China, some traditional Chinese herbal formulas have enjoyed a high reputation in T2DM treatment for centuries. METHODS In this study, ShenQi compound (SQC) is proposed, a formula has been performed on T2DM clinical therapeutics in China for many years. The efficacy of SQC in diabetic rat model by measuring food and water intake and examining islet microcirculatory index involves islets microvessel quantity and density, islets size, pancreatic microvascular wall thickness is evaluated. Meanwhile, gene microarray experiments were performed to explore the molecular mechanism of SQC treatment. In addition, a western medicine, metformin was employed as a comparison. RESULTS The results indicated that SQC could effectively improve polydipsia, polyphagia and weight loss caused by diabetes as well as pancreatic tissue damage and vascular injury for T2DM. Meanwhile, the gene microarray experiments indicated that SQC may improve the T2DM through affecting the biological functions related to detection of chemical stimulus involved in sensory perception of smell, G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway, cytoplasmic translation. In addition, SQC presented curative effect by regulated function associated with translation, while metformin presented curative effect by regulated function associated coagulation. CONCLUSION SQC is an effective therapeutic drug on T2DM, and present curative effect by regulated function associated with translation.
What really impacts the use of active learning in undergraduate STEM education? Results from a national survey of chemistry, mathematics, and physics instructors

Six common beliefs about the usage of active learning in introductory STEM courses are investigated using survey data from 3769 instructors. Three beliefs focus on contextual factors: class size, classroom setup, and teaching evaluations; three focus on individual factors: security of employment, research activity, and prior exposure. The analysis indicates that instructors in all situations can and do employ active learning in their courses. However, with the exception of security of employment, trends in the data are consistent with beliefs about the impact of these factors on usage of active learning. We discuss implications of these results for institutional and departmental policies to facilitate the use of active learning.
Current and future therapies for persistent corneal epithelial defects and neurotrophic keratopathy

Purpose of review The corneal epithelium is a crucial barrier against pathogens, and when disrupted in the setting of certain underlying risk factors such as neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), may result in persistent epithelial defects (PEDs) of the cornea. Management is challenging and may require a variety of different approaches ranging from conservative medical therapy to surgical intervention. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on current and potential future therapeutic options for PEDs and NK. Recent findings Recent research has yielded promising results for numerous novel therapies aimed at treating PEDs. Many of these attempt to stimulate healing at the cellular level, via signaling of corneal epithelial differentiation, migration, and proliferation. Considerable advances have also been made regarding medical and surgical promotion of corneal re-innervation and restoration of corneal sensitivity to directly address the underlying NK condition. Summary Together with the current well established therapeutic options available for PEDs and NK, growing research on newer alternatives suggest increasing potential for both more effective and more convenient therapies for these difficult situations.
Association between hourly wages and dietary intake after the first phase of implementation of the Minneapolis minimum wage ordinance

Abstract Objective: In 2018, Minneapolis began phased implementation of an ordinance to increase the local minimum wage to $15/h. We sought to determine whether the first phase of implementation was associated with changes in frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V), whole-grain-rich foods, and foods high in added sugars among low-wage workers. Design: Natural experiment. Setting: The Wages Study is a prospective cohort study of 974 low-wage workers followed throughout the phased implementation of the ordinance (2018–2022). We used difference-in-difference analysis to compare outcomes among workers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to those in a comparison city (Raleigh, North Carolina). We assessed wages using participants’ pay stubs and dietary intake using the National Cancer Institute Dietary Screener Questionnaire. Participants: Analyses use the first two waves of Wages data (2018 (baseline), 2019) and includes 267 and 336 low-wage workers in Minneapolis and Raleigh, respectively. Results: After the first phase of implementation, wages increased in both cities, but the increase was $0·84 greater in Minneapolis (P = 0·02). However, the first phase of the policy’s implementation was not associated with changes in daily frequency of consumption of F&V (IRR = 1·03, 95 % CI: 0·86, 1·24, P = 0·73), whole-grain-rich foods (IRR = 1·23, 95 % CI: 0·89, 1·70, P = 0·20), or foods high in added sugars (IRR = 1·13, 95 % CI: 0·86, 1·47, P = 0·38) among workers in Minneapolis compared to Raleigh. Conclusions: The first phase of implementation of the Minneapolis minimum wage policy was associated with increased wages, but not with changes in dietary intake. Future research should examine whether full implementation is associated dietary changes.