Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Climate‐Driven Variations in Nitrogen Retention From a Riverine Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Meadow

Large rivers can retain a substantial amount of nitrogen (N), particularly in submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) meadows that may act as disproportionate control points for N retention. However, the temporal variation of N retention in large rivers remains unknown since past measurements were snapshots in time. Using high‐frequency plants and NO3− measurements over the summers 2012–2017, we investigated how the climate variation influenced N retention in a SAV meadow (∼10 km2) at the confluence zone of two agricultural tributaries entering the St. Lawrence River. Distinctive combinations of water temperature and level were recorded between years, ranging from extreme hot‐low (2012) and cold‐high (2017) summers (2°C and 1.4 m interannual range). Using an indicator of SAV biomass, we found that these extreme hot‐low and cold‐high years had reduced biomass compared to hot summers with intermediate levels. In addition, changes in main stem water levels were asynchronous with the tributary discharges that controlled NO3− inputs at the confluence. We estimated daily N uptake rates from a moored NO3− sensor and partitioned these into assimilatory and dissimilatory pathways. Measured rates were variable but among the highest reported in rivers (median 576 mg N m−2 d−1, range 60–3,893 mg N m−2 d−1) and SAV biomass promoted greater proportional retention and permanent N loss through denitrification. We estimated that the SAV meadow could retain up to 0.8 kt N per year and 87% of N inputs, but this valuable ecosystem service is contingent on how climate variations modulate both N loads and SAV biomass.
The Antioxidant and Antitumor Efficiency of Litophyton sp. Extract in DMH-Induced Colon Cancer in Male Rats

One of the most common tumors to cause death worldwide is colon cancer. This study aims to investigate the antitumor potency of Litophyton sp. methanolic extract (LME) against DMH-induced colon cancer in adult male rats. Group (1) normal rats served as the control, group (2) normal rats were ip-injected with LME at a dose of 100 μg/kg/day, group (3) DMH-induced colon cancer animals, and group (4) colon cancer-modeled animals were treated with LME (100 μg/kg/day) for six weeks. The results revealed that injection of LME markedly regenerated the colon cancer pathophysiological disorders; this was monitored from the significant reduction in the values of serum biomarkers (CEA, CA19.9, AFP), cytokines (TNF-α and IL1β), and biochemical measurements (ALAT, ASAT, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglycerides) matched significant increase of apoptotic biomarkers (CD4+); similarly, colon DNA fragmentation, MDA, and NO levels were down-regulated. In contrast, a remarkable upregulation in colon SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT levels was noted. Moreover, the colon histopathological architecture showed obvious regenerations. Chromatography of LME resulted in the purification of two polyhydroxylated steroids (1 and 2) with potential cytotoxic activities. LME performed therapeutic potential colon tumorigenesis; therefore, LME may have a promising chemo-preventive feature against colon cancer, probably via enhancement of the apoptosis pathway, improvement of the immune response, reduction of inflammation, or/and restoration of the impaired oxidative stress.
Industry 4.0 implementation in the supply chain: a review on the evolution of buyer-supplier relationships

ABSTRACT This paper analyses extant literature on how Industry 4.0 impacts Social Capital in Buyer-Supplier Relationships. We conduct a systematic literature review and identify 36 academic articles that are analysed in the research process. The study uncovers strategic changes Industry 4.0 implies for Social Capital in Buyer-Supplier Relationships. These include transformations in cognitive, structural and relational capital in terms of a shared vision, social interaction and trust. Therein, Social Capital in Buyer-Supplier Relationships is needed and further invested in aspects like common decision-making, information sharing and cross-company integration in Industry 4.0 contexts. We propose that Industry 4.0 implementation does require and foster Social Capital in Buyer-Supplier Relationships and that two diametrically opposed elementary forms of Buyer-Supplier Relationships co-exist in an Industry 4.0 context. The systematic literature review is the first to analyse the extant body of literature on Buyer-Supplier Relationships in Industry 4.0 to synthesise detailed transformations against the backdrop of Social Capital. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and develops several suggestions for future research and managerial practice, for example, concerning the role of humans in strategic tasks in Industry 4.0.
Diagnostic performance of RASSF1A and CDKN2A gene methylation versus α-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim of the study This study aimed to evaluate the methylation status of two genes in the peripheral blood as possible non-invasive biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis, compare them with α-fetoprotein (AFP), and assess their relationship with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumor. Material and methods Thirty healthy volunteers, forty patients with HCC on top of HCV-associated liver cirrhosis, and forty patients with HCV-associated liver cirrhosis participated in this study. Using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), the methylation status of RASSF1A and CDKN2A was assessed. Results The tumor group was significantly more methylated in both genes than the cirrhosis and the control groups. The RASSF1A gene was highly methylated in advanced tumor characteristics. There was no association between AFP levels in the blood and the methylation state of both genes. The combined diagnostic performance of the methylation status of both genes in predicting HCC in cirrhotic patients was high but not to the degree of that of AFP. Conclusions Methylated RASSF1A and CDKN2A levels in the blood may be employed as a non-invasive biomarker for the detection of HCC, especially in high-risk individuals.
Inteligencia contextual percibida en el deporte. Desarrollo y validación de un cuestionario

El proposito de este estudio ha sido el desarrollo y validacion de un Cuestionario de Inteligencia Contextual Percibida en el Deporte en una muestra de deportistas espanoles de diferente nivel de pericia. Participaron 2091 deportistas (1519 hombres y 572 mujeres) de edades comprendidas entre los 11 y los 59 anos (M = 20,8; DT = 6,14). Los analisis factoriales exploratorio y confirmatorio mostraron que el cuestionario presentaba una estructura de tres dimensiones (inteligencia anticipatoria, inteligencia tactica e inteligencia competitiva), ademas de permitir obtener la obtencion de un valor de la escala general denominado Inteligencia Contextual en el Deporte. Las propiedades psicometricas de validez y la fiabilidad del instrumento fueron excelentes para poder ser empleado en estudios en los que esta dimension sea de interes
Graphene Quantum Dots with Blue and Yellow Luminescence Fabricated by Modulating Intercalation State

The development of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with low toxicity, excellent dispersibility, and high photostability has led to extensive progress in bio-imaging and optical sensing applications. However, one-pot synthesis and mass production of GQDs, and tuning their photoluminescence, remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate a simple and scalable method for fabricating GQDs with high size uniformity and chemical stability, via a sequential process of inserting alkali metal into graphite (Stage I: KC8 and Stage II: KC24) and exfoliation to GQDs in a selected solvent. Structural and optical measurements were conducted, and the emitted colors of the as-prepared GQDs were blue (KC8) and yellow (KC24), respectively. The stage of graphite intercalation in the compounds played an important role in the size and thickness of the GQD. The as-prepared GQDs had clear characteristic peaks consistent with the quantum confinement effect and intrinsic/extrinsic states. Our approach will provide great potential for a wide variety of bioimaging and bioanalysis applications.
Identification of Key Genes Related to Dormancy Control in Prunus Species by Meta-Analysis of RNAseq Data

Bud dormancy is a genotype-dependent mechanism observed in Prunus species in which bud growth is inhibited, and the accumulation of a specific amount of chilling (endodormancy) and heat (ecodormancy) is necessary to resume growth and reach flowering. We analyzed publicly available transcriptome data from fifteen cultivars of four Prunus species (almond, apricot, peach, and sweet cherry) sampled at endo- and ecodormancy points to identify conserved genes and pathways associated with dormancy control in the genus. A total of 13,018 genes were differentially expressed during dormancy transitions, of which 139 and 223 were of interest because their expression profiles correlated with endo- and ecodormancy, respectively, in at least one cultivar of each species. The endodormancy-related genes comprised transcripts mainly overexpressed during chilling accumulation and were associated with abiotic stresses, cell wall modifications, and hormone regulation. The ecodormancy-related genes, upregulated after chilling fulfillment, were primarily involved in the genetic control of carbohydrate regulation, hormone biosynthesis, and pollen development. Additionally, the integrated co-expression network of differentially expressed genes in the four species showed clusters of co-expressed genes correlated to dormancy stages and genes of breeding interest overlapping with quantitative trait loci for bloom time and chilling and heat requirements.
Clinical Presentation and Prognostic Features in Patients with Immunotherapy-Induced Vitiligo-like Depigmentation: A Monocentric Prospective Observational Study

Simple Summary In this study, we thoroughly explore the clinical and biological features of immunotherapy-induced vitiligo-like depigmentation (VLD) in patients with stage III-IV melanoma receiving immunotherapy. Key findings include a distinct immune signature with an upregulation of ITGA in the VLD group, an upregulation of EDAR and downregulation of LAG3 in VLD-responders group, a longer time to VLD onset in patients pre-treated with targeted therapy, the distribution of VLD lesions primarily in sun-exposed areas as opposed to mechanically stressed areas in non-immunotherapy-related vitiligo, the predominance of a symmetrical, small-freckle lesional pattern and a prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in VLD patients without LDH elevation as opposed to those with LDH elevation. Abstract Vitiligo-like depigmentation (VLD) is an immune-related adverse event (irAE) of checkpoint-inhibitor (CPI) treatment, which has previously been associated with a favourable outcome. The aim of this study was to explore clinical, biological and prognostic features of melanoma patients with VLD under CPI-treatment and to explore whether they exhibit a characteristic immune response profile in peripheral blood. Melanoma patients developing VLD under CPI were included in a prospective observational single-center cohort study. We collected and analysed clinical parameters, photographs and serum from 28 VLD patients. They received pembrolizumab (36%), nivolumab (11%), ipilimumab/nivolumab (32%) or clinical trial medications (21%). We performed a high-throughput proteomics assay (Olink), in which we identified a distinct proteomic signature in VLD patients in comparison to non-VLD CPI patients. Our clinical assessments revealed that VLD lesions had a predominantly symmetrical distribution pattern, with mostly smaller “freckle-like” macules and a preferential distribution in UV-exposed areas. Patients with previous targeted therapy showed a significantly longer time lapse between CPI initiation and VLD onset compared to non-pre-treated patients (12.5 vs. 6.25 months). Therapy responders exhibited a distinct proteomic profile when compared with non-responders in VLD such as upregulation of EDAR and downregulation of LAG3. ITGA11 was elevated in the VLD-group when compared to non-VLD-CPI-treated melanoma patients. Our findings demonstrate that on a proteomic level, VLD is characterized by a distinct immune signature when compared to CPI-treated patients without VLD and that therapy responsiveness is reflected by a characteristic immune profile. The pathomechanisms underlying these findings and how they could relate to the antitumoral response in melanoma remain to be elucidated.
Improved Macro- and Micronutrient Supply for Favorable Growth and Metabolomic Profile with Standardized Parenteral Nutrition Solutions for Very Preterm Infants

Very preterm infants are at high risk for suboptimal nutrition in the first weeks of life leading to insufficient weight gain and complications arising from metabolic imbalances such as insufficient bone mineral accretion. We investigated the use of a novel set of standardized parenteral nutrition (PN; MUC PREPARE) solutions regarding improving nutritional intake, accelerating termination of parenteral feeding, and positively affecting growth in comparison to individually prescribed and compounded PN solutions. We studied the effect of MUC PREPARE on macro- and micronutrient intake, metabolism, and growth in 58 very preterm infants and compared results to a historic reference group of 58 very preterm infants matched for clinical characteristics. Infants receiving MUC PREPARE demonstrated improved macro- and micronutrient intake resulting in balanced electrolyte levels and stable metabolomic profiles. Subsequently, improved energy supply was associated with up to 1.5 weeks earlier termination of parenteral feeding, while simultaneously reaching up to 1.9 times higher weight gain at day 28 in extremely immature infants (<27 GA weeks) as well as overall improved growth at 2 years of age for all infants. The use of the new standardized PN solution MUC PREPARE improved nutritional supply and short- and long-term growth and reduced PN duration in very preterm infants and is considered a superior therapeutic strategy.
Comparing Visual Encodings for the Task of Anomaly Detection

Abstract Empirical evaluations of visual encodings for analytical tasks inform the design of automatic presentation systems. This study compares anomaly detection effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction using tabular visualization and graphical representation of position, size, and color saturation visualizations and the visualizations’ relative ranking. In our user study analysts used the visualizations to detect anomalies in bivariate quantitative, ordinal, and nominal real data, before and after training. Consistent with Mackinlay ranking of the visual encodings’ effectiveness, the results showed that for all data types, position visualization outperformed size and color saturation visualizations on all measures, before and after training. The use of position visualization after training was as effective as using the table visualization for all data types but significantly easier to use and preferable. Furthermore, the average anomaly detection time was at least three times shorter when using position visualization compared to table visualization for ordinal and quantitative data.
Antarctic Lichens under Long-Term Passive Warming: Species-Specific Photochemical Responses to Desiccation and Heat Shock Treatments

Climate warming in the Antarctic tundra will affect locally dominant cryptogams. Being adapted to low temperatures and freezing, little is known about the response of the polar lichens’ primary photochemistry to warming and desiccation. Since 2008, we have monitored the ecophysiological responses of lichens to the future warming scenario during a long-term warming experiment through open top chambers (OTCs) on Fildes Peninsula. We studied the primary photochemical response (potential Fv/Fm and effective efficiency of photosystem II YPSII) of different lichen taxa and morphotypes under desiccation kinetics and heat shock experiments. As lichens grow slowly, to observe changes during warming we methodologically focused on carbon and nitrogen content as well as on the stable isotope ratios. Endemic Himantormia lugubris showed the strongest effect of long-term warming on primary photochemistry, where PSII activity occurred at a lower %RWC inside the OTCs, in addition to higher Fv/Fm values at 30 °C in the heat shock kinetic treatment. In contrast, Usnea aurantiaco-atra did not show any effect of long-term warming but was active at a thallus RWC lower than 10%. Both Cladonia species were most affected by water stress, with Cladonia aff. gracilis showing no significant differences in primary photochemical responses between the warming and the control but a high sensibility to water deficiency, where, at 60% thallus RWC, the photochemical parameters began to decrease. We detected species-specific responses not only to long-term warming, but also to desiccation. On the other hand, the carbon content did not vary significantly among the species or because of the passive warming treatment. Similarly, the nitrogen content showed non-significant variation; however, the C/N ratio was affected, with the strongest C/N decrease in Cladonia borealis. Our results suggest that Antarctic lichens can tolerate warming and high temperature better than desiccation and that climate change may affect these species if it is associated with a decrease in water availability.
Nine-Year Trends in Prevention of Thromboembolic Complications in Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with NOACs

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common disease in elderly patients and thromboembolic complication prophylaxis significantly improves the prognosis in these patients. The study assessed the frequency of individual non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use among patients ≥75 years and attempted to identify factors predisposing to their prescription. Methods: The data of patients with non-valvular AF hospitalized in the reference cardiology center between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed. Results: Out of 1443 analyzed patients, 329 (22.8%) received apixaban, 618 (42.8%) dabigatran, and 496 (34.4%) rivaroxaban. The entire population mean age was 82.3 ± 5 years, and 57.9% were females. Independent predictors of apixaban use were age, and bleeding history. Hospitalization for the implantation/reimplantation of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) reduced the chance of apixaban use. Hypertension was a predictor of dabigatran prescription. The chance of using dabigatran decreased with age. Hypertension and bleeding history decreased the chance of rivaroxaban application. Conclusions: In hospitalized AF patients ≥75 years, dabigatran was the most frequently used NOAC. Age, comorbidities and bleeding risk determined the selection of individual NOACs.
Development of UPLC-MS/MS Method to Study the Pharmacokinetic Interaction between Sorafenib and Dapagliflozin in Rats

Sorafenib (SOR), an inhibitor of multiple kinases, is a classic targeted drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which often coexists with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Dapagliflozin (DAPA), a sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), is widely used in patients with T2DM. Notably, co-administration of SOR with DAPA is common in clinical settings. Uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A9 (UGT1A9) is involved in the metabolism of SOR and dapagliflozin (DAPA), and SOR is the inhibitor of UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 (in vitro). Therefore, changes in UGT1A9 activity caused by SOR may lead to pharmacokinetic interactions between the two drugs. The objective of the current study was to develop an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of SOR and DAPA in plasma and to evaluate the effect of the co-administration of SOR and DAPA on their individual pharmacokinetic properties and the mechanism involved. The rats were divided into four groups: SOR (100 mg/kg) alone and co-administered with DAPA (1 mg/kg) for seven days, and DAPA (1 mg/kg) alone and co-administered with SOR (100 mg/kg) for seven days. Liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) was performed for plasma sample preparation, and the chromatographic separation was conducted on Waters XSelect HSS T3 column with a gradient elution of 0.1% formic acid and 5 mM ammonium acetate (Phase A) and acetonitrile (Phase B). The levels of Ugt1a7 messenger RNA (mRNA) were determined in rat liver and intestine using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The method was successfully applied to the study of pharmacokinetic interactions. DAPA caused a significant decrease in the maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) and the area under the plasma concentration–time curves (AUC0–t) of SOR by 41.6% and 50.5%, respectively, while the apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) and apparent clearance (CLz/F) significantly increased 2.85- and 1.98-fold, respectively. When co-administering DAPA with SOR, the AUC0–t and the elimination half-life (t1/2Z) of DAPA significantly increased 1.66- and 1.80-fold, respectively, whereas the CLz/F significantly decreased by 40%. Results from qRT-PCR showed that, compared with control, seven days of SOR pretreatment decreased Ugt1a7 expression in both liver and intestine tissue. In contrast, seven days of DAPA pretreatment decreased Ugt1a7 expression only in liver tissue. Therefore, pharmacokinetic interactions exist between long-term use of SOR with DAPA, and UGT1A9 may be the targets mediating the interaction. Active surveillance for the treatment outcomes and adverse reactions are required.
A STUDY ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF MAHABUBNAGAR GOATS

Eight male Mahabubnagar goats were slaughtered to study the meat production potential and carcass traits. The dressing percentages based on pre-slaughter weight and empty body weight were 44.60 ± 0.95 and 59.74 ± 1.07, while the average pre-slaughter weight, empty body weight and hot carcass weights were 24.36 ± 1.00, 18.29 ± 1.09 and 10.90 ± 0.60 kg respectively. The mean edible and inedible organs weight were 0.81 ± 0.02 and 6.97±0.25 kg respectively. The mean weight of primal cuts of carcass i.e., leg, loin, rack, neck and shoulder, breast and fore shank were 3.75 ± 0.28, 1.10 ± 0.04, 0.97 ± 0.05, and 2.91 ± 0.17 and 2.21 ± 0.12 kg respectively. High proportion of meat in neck and shoulder (70.97 %), bone in rack (37.33%) and fat in loin (5.71 %) regions of primal cuts were noticed. The pre-slaughter weight and dressing percentages were correlated positively and significantly with all the primal cuts except loin. The pre-slaughter weight significantly contributed to the prediction of total edible organs, total inedible organs and different primal cuts.