Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Doxorubicin-sensitive and -resistant colorectal cancer spheroid models: assessing tumor microenvironment features for therapeutic modulation

Introduction: The research on tumor microenvironment (TME) has recently been gaining attention due to its important role in tumor growth, progression, and response to therapy. Because of this, the development of three-dimensional cancer models that mimic the interactions in the TME and the tumor structure and complexity is of great relevance to cancer research and drug development. Methods: This study aimed to characterize colorectal cancer spheroids overtime and assess how the susceptibility or resistance to doxorubicin (Dox) or the inclusion of fibroblasts in heterotypic spheroids influence and modulate their secretory activity, namely the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and the response to Dox-mediated chemotherapy. Different characteristics were assessed over time, namely spheroid growth, viability, presence of hypoxia, expression of hypoxia and inflammation-associated genes and proteins. Due to the importance of EVs in biomarker discovery with impact on early diagnostics, prognostics and response to treatment, proteomic profiling of the EVs released by the different 3D spheroid models was also assessed. Response to treatment was also monitored by assessing Dox internalization and its effects on the different 3D spheroid structures and on the cell viability. Results and Discussion: The results show that distinct features are affected by both Dox resistance and the presence of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts can stabilize spheroid models, through the modulation of their growth, viability, hypoxia and inflammation levels, as well as the expressions of its associated transcripts/proteins, and promotes alterations in the protein profile exhibit by EVs. Summarily, fibroblasts can increase cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, making the heterotypic spheroids a great model to study TME and understand TME role in chemotherapies resistance. Dox resistance induction is shown to influence the internalization of Dox, especially in homotypic spheroids, and it is also shown to influence cell viability and consequently the chemoresistance of those spheroids when exposed to Dox. Taken together these results highlight the importance of finding and characterizing different 3D models resembling more closely the in vivo interactions of tumors with their microenvironment as well as modulating drug resistance.
The role of mycorrhiza and humic acid on quantitative and qualitative traits of faba bean plant under different fertilizer regimes

One of the aspects of sustainable management in agricultural ecosystems is reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and the application of organic and biological fertilizers. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted with the aim of investigating mycorrhizal fungi and humic acid on quantitative and qualitative traits of faba bean in different levels of chemical fertilizers in the research farm of Islamic Azad University, Chalous Branch in 2019 and 2020. Factors included humic acid and mycorrhiza application at four levels (control (distilled water), humic acid (400 mg L-1 ha-1), humic acid+mycorrhiza and mycorrhiza) and NPK at three levels (50, 75 and 100% Recommended dose). The results showed that the use of humic acid and mycorrhiza had a significant effect on the quantitative and qualitative traits of faba bean. The highest chlorophyll a level of 75 and 100% NPK was obtained by using humic acid + mycorrhiza. The combined application of humic acid and mycorrhiza showed the highest number of seeds per pod, number of pods and weight of 100 seeds. In humic acid + mycorrhiza treatment, there was no significant difference between 100 and 75% NPK fertilizer application in grain yield and biological traits. The highest grain yield was obtained with the combined application of humic acid + mycorrhiza at the level of 100 and 75% NPK at the rate of 4356 and 4322 kg ha-1, respectively. Also, the highest levels of Fe, N, P, K and Zn were observed with the combined application of humic acid+mycorrhiza at 100% level of NPK. In general, the results showed that the combined use of humic acid and mycorrhiza has been able to reduce the use of NPK fertilizer by 25%.
A study on the prevalence of smoking habits among the student community in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia

Objectives A cross-sectional study was aimed to assess the prevalence of smoking habits among students at King Khalid University (KKU), Abha, KSA. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using a Modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (mFTQ), online survey was carried out among the students of KKU. This tool uses a five-point Likert scale for all seven questions, except one question on smoking during the first 2 h of the day. Results The prevalence of smoking among male students was 67% (n = 243) and females 33% (n = 122). Of the current cigarette smokers, 19% had a nicotine dependence score of ≥6 (high), 48% scored 4–6 (moderate) and 33% scored <4 (minimal). Association between mFTQ and the number of cigarettes per day (p < 0.001), first smoke of your cigarettes (p < 0.018), smoking in the morning (p < 0.007), and difficulty refraining from smoking in public areas (p < 0.000). The results of the current study recommend that cigarette smoking habits are a significant risk behavior among young students. The strength of this study signifies that most participants (62%) intend to quit if appropriately supported. Conclusion According to the findings of the current investigation, smoking was quite common among males. It raises the alarm about the critical need for adequate education to support health education initiatives, discourage teen smoking, and enhance health outcomes for the community.
An integrated analysis of the March 2015 Atacama floods

In March 2015 unusual ocean and atmospheric conditions produced many years' worth of rainfall in a ~48 h period over northern Chile's Atacama Desert, one of Earth's driest regions, resulting in catastrophic flooding. Here we describe the hydrologic and geomorphic drivers of and responses to the 2015 Atacama floods. In the Salado River, we estimated a flood peak discharge of approximately 1000 m3/s, which caused widespread damage and high sediment loads that were primarily derived from valley‐fill erosion; hillslopes remained surprisingly intact despite their lack of vegetation. In the coastal city of Chañaral, flooding of the Salado River produced maximum water depths over 4.5 m, meters thick mud deposition in buildings and along city streets, and coastal erosion. The Atacama flooding has broad implications in the context of hazard reduction, erosion of contaminated legacy mine tailings, and the Atacama's status as a terrestrial analog for Mars.
Magnetic Field Intervention Enhances Cellular Migration Rates in Biological Scaffolds

The impact of magnetic fields on cellular function is diverse but can be described at least in part by the radical pair mechanism (RPM), where magnetic field intervention alters reactive oxygen species (ROS) populations and downstream cellular signaling. Here, cellular migration within three-dimensional scaffolds was monitored in an applied oscillating 1.4 MHz radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field with an amplitude of 10 µT and a static 50 µT magnetic field. Given that cellular bioenergetics can be altered based on applied RF magnetic fields, this study focused on a magnetic field configuration that increased cellular respiration. Results suggest that RF accelerated cell clustering and elongation after 1 day, with increased levels of clustering and cellular linkage after 7 days. Cell distribution analysis within the scaffolds revealed that the clustering rate during the first day was increased nearly five times in the RF environment. Electron microscopy provided additional topological information and verified the development of fibrous networks, with a cell-derived matrix (CDM) visualized after 7 days in samples maintained in RF. This work demonstrates time-dependent cellular migration that may be influenced by quantum biology (QB) processes and downstream oxidative signaling, enhancing cellular migration behavior.
Improving Students' Analytical Skills and Learning Interest Through the Tarl and CRT Approaches with The PBL Model on Chemical Buffer Material

Classroom action research was conducted to determine the increased analytical skills and students' interest in 2 cycles. Learning is carried out by applying the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model with the Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) and Teaching at The Right Level (TaRL) approaches. Learning is carried out referring to the Kurikulum Merdeka. The research carried out was of the type of classroom action research. The research subjects were 26 students from the same class and school. The research was carried out in two cycles. The first cycle carried out learning using the PBL model with a CRT approach. The same learning was carried out in the second cycle using the TaRL approach. Data collection techniques are obtained from students' pre-tests and post-tests on students' analytical skills and learning interests. The research method is quantitative and descriptive qualitative, with an analysis technique using N-Gain and categorized based on the Likert scale. Research shows an increase in students' analytical skills to 0.46 or in the medium category. The classical increase in students' learning interest is as much as 95% in the high category.
Application of Mirena Intrauterine Device in Cesarean Section: Experience from a Private Hospital in Saudi Arabia - A Prospective Cohort Comparative Study

Background : Postpartum application of an intrauterine device (IUD) is often challenging to many women and induces fear, especially when performed without general anesthesia. This renders insertion difficult, which may predispose to complications, or the women to delay her decision for contraception. Our study compared the complications of Mirena IUD insertions during cesarean section (CS) versus 42 days postpartum. Methods : This study is a prospective cohort comparative study conducted in a private hospital in Saudi Arabia, from May 2021 to December 2021. Women were assigned into two groups. The first group (post-placental) contained 48 women in whom Mirena IUDs were inserted during CS, after placental delivery. The second group (postpartum) included 48 women where the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) was inserted after 42 days postpartum. The primary outcome was the expulsion rate of IUD, while secondary outcomes were infection, perforation, bleeding, and displacement. The patients were followed up one month and three months after Mirena’s insertion. Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the expulsion rate ( p = 0.646). Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of secondary outcomes ( p > 0.05). Conclusions : Post-placental application of Mirena IUD is more accessible, more convenient, and less fearful for the patients.
The biological role of clove oil in the diet of mature male rabbits on the physiological body functions, oxidative stress and physical semen properties

In an eight-week experiment conducted throughout the months of January and February, 2023, the goal of this study was to determine how changing the diet of mature male rabbits to include clove oil affected their body's physiological processes and the quality of their sperm. In this study, 24 mature rabbit bucks that were 8 months old and weighed an average of 2.650 g in the first production year were used. In a final randomized plan, the bucks were randomly assigned to two experimental groups, each with twelve rabbits. Bucks served as the control group in the first group and were fed a commercial pelleted food without any supplements. Each buck in the second group received one milliliter of clove along with the daily diet requirement from commercial pellets. Every two weeks, values for weight gain, feed consumption, testosterone levels, blood constituents, libido, and semen quality were assessed. The findings demonstrated that including clove oil in the diet of bucks rabbits resulted in a significant (P<0.01) improvement in each of daily feed intake, daily weight gain, testosterone hormone, and γ-globulin and a significantly (P<0.01) reduced glucose, cholesterol fraction levels in comparison to the control group. Additionally, adding clove oil increased (P<0.01) the rabbit bucks' physical semen attributes values. It was determined that including clove oil in the diet of male rabbits improved physiological body processes, produced hypercholesterolemia, and raised the quality of the rabbits' sperm without having a negative impact on liver or kidney function.
Serum Calretinin and Genetic Variability as a Prognostic and Predictive Factor in Malignant Mesothelioma

Calretinin is a promising diagnostic biomarker for malignant mesothelioma (MM), but less is known about its prognostic role. Our aim was to evaluate the association between serum calretinin concentration or genetic factors and the survival or outcome of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in MM. Our study included 265 MM patients. Serum calretinin concentration was determined using ELISA. Patients were genotyped for seven polymorphisms in CALB2, E2F2, MIR335, NRF1, and SEPTIN7 using competitive allele-specific PCR. Nonparametric tests, logistic regression, and survival analysis were used for statistical analysis. Higher serum calretinin concentration was associated with shorter progression-free (PFS) (HR = 1.18 (1.02–1.37), p = 0.023) and overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.20 (1.03–1.41), p = 0.023), but the association was not significant after adjusting for clinical factors (HR = 1.05 (0.85–1.31), p = 0.653 and HR = 1.06 (0.84–1.34), p = 0.613, respectively). SEPTIN7 rs3801339 and MIR335 rs3807348 were associated with survival even after adjustment (HR = 1.76 (1.17–2.64), p = 0.007 and HR = 0.65 (0.45–0.95), p = 0.028, respectively). Calretinin concentration was higher in patients who progressed after treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy (1.68 vs. 0.45 ng/mL, p = 0.001). Calretinin concentration above 0.89 ng/mL was associated with shorter PFS and OS from the start of chemotherapy (HR = 1.88 (1.28–2.77), p = 0.001 and HR = 1.91 (1.22–2.97), p = 0.004, respectively), even after adjusting for clinical factors (p < 0.05). MIR335 rs3807348 was associated with a better response to chemotherapy (OR = 2.69 (1.17–6.18), p = 0.020). We showed that serum calretinin is associated with survival and chemotherapy treatment outcomes in MM and could serve as a predictive biomarker.
A cross-country comparison of pig production systems performance: Evidence from EU countries

This study estimates and analyze the technical efficiency of pork farms from five EU countries. The Generalized True Random-effects (GTRE) model was used to differentiate between persistent and transitory technical efficiency. The results show that elasticities are robust to various specifications. Spanish farms show the highest average efficiency score. In Denmark, Germany, France, and Poland, the most significant opportunities for growth are found in transitional efficiency. The degree of productive specialization in the five countries has a positive impact in the efficiency. In Denmark, Germany, and France, persistent efficiency has a positive association with the fraction of paid labor.
Future of Work: New Work as a Saviour?

The world of work is in a state of permanent change, which is currently taking place at great speed - not least due to the Corona pandemic. In addition, however, dynamics that existed even before the pandemic are having an impact on companies and are giving rise to a new understanding of work. The acute shortage of skilled workers and managers in many sectors means that many companies are unable to fill their vacancies with suitably qualified staff. In the competition for new staff, companies are increasingly confronted with Generation Z, whose expectations and wishes of a potential employer differ greatly from existing corporate cultures and values. In combination with other megatrends, such as connectivity (digitalisation), individualisation, and knowledge culture, the relevance of the future of work, i.e. the totality of modern and flexible forms of work and work organisation, is increasing massively. This study, therefore, addresses the following areas: Principle of the future of work, demands on leadership and organisational model, and group comparisons.
Decoding the diagnostic dilemma: Peripheral T‑cell lymphoma presenting as acute pancreatitis: A case report

Peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by the origin of mature T-cells. PTCL demonstrates atypical clinical features and involves both nodal and extra-nodal sites. The diagnosis and treatment of PTCL can prove to be challenging, as it is often detected at advanced stages and is resistant to conventional chemotherapy treatments. The present report describes a 55-year-old male patient who presented with acute pancreatitis, and imaging suggested a soft tissue mass in the pancreatic head indicating pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Further investigation through ultrasound-guided biopsy led to the diagnosis of pancreatic PTCL not otherwise specified.
Income Distribution and Poverty in OECD Countries in the Second Half of the 1990s

This report provides evidence on income distribution and poverty in 27 OECD countries over the second half of the 1990s, using data that correct for many of the features that limit cross-country and intertemporal comparisons in this field. Patterns for income distribution and relative poverty in the second half of the 1990s — a period of significant improvement in labour market conditions in most OECD countries — conform to many of the longer-term trends identified in previous OECD analysis, but also highlight some significant departures. Inequality in the distribution of household disposable income among the total population increased slightly over the second half of the 1990s, continuing the trend of the previous decade. Relative poverty, measured with respect to a threshold set at half of median income, affected in 2000 around 11% of the OECD population, with an increase since the mid-1990s that is similar to that of the previous decade. Absolute income poverty, which had declined . Ce rapport examine la distribution des revenus et la pauvrete dans 27 pays de l’OCDE pour la deuxieme moitie de la decennie 90, sur la base de donnees corrigees d’une grande partie des parametres qui handicapent les comparaisons transnationales et intertemporelles dans ce domaine. L’evolution de la distribution des revenus et de la pauvrete au cours de la deuxieme moitie de la decennie 90 – periode d’amelioration notable de la situation du marche du travail dans la plupart des pays de l’OCDE – s’inscrit pour une grande part dans le prolongement des tendances a long terme qui se degageaient des analyses precedentes, mais presente aussi quelques ecarts notables par rapport a celles-ci. L’inegalite de la distribution du revenu disponible des menages sur l’ensemble de la population s’est legerement accentuee dans la seconde moitie de la decennie 90, prolongeant la tendance observee au cours de la decennie precedente. La pauvrete relative, mesuree par rapport a un seuil fixe a la moitie .
Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous of eastern Wollaston Forland, North-East Greenland: a distal marine record of an evolving rift

Two drill cores covering the Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous succession in Wollaston Forland, NE Greenland, offer an exceptional insight into mud-accumulation in an evolving distal fault block. Previous studies have revealed the presence of long-lasting black mudstone accumulation extending through the oxygen-restricted early rift and rift climax phases (Bernbjerg and Lindemans Bugt Formations). Here, we revisit the depositional evolution recorded in these cores to present a detailed description of the sedimentary succession extending into the late syn-rift settings (Palnatokes Bjerg and Stratumbjerg Formations). The results indicate that the Kimmeridgian – lower Volgian early rift-phase was characterized by suspension settling, laminae-scale event deposition in a tectonically-affected, prodeltaic offshore setting. The event-related depositional processes are expressed by starved wave-ripples, scour-and-fill structures, putative mud floccule ripples, and mud-dominated gravity-flow deposits. During the middle Volgian – Ryazanian rift climax phase, the depositional environment evolved into a narrow half-graben that was detached from the proximal depocentre flanking the coarse sediment fueled deltaic coastline. The correlative sedimentary facies in the detached half-graben are bioclastic and pyrite-rich black mudstones documenting suspension settling and gravity flow/mass wasting deposition in sub-storm wave-base slope and basin-floor environments. Black shale sedimentation ended abruptly in the late Ryazanian when the accumulation of condensed, bioturbated deep sea marls was initiated linked to broader oceanographic reorganization concomitant with waning rift activity in the west. Deposition of red bioclastic mudstones with a common gravity-flow component characterized the Hauterivian, potentially representing final draping of the submerged fault block crest. The top of the cored succession is demarcated by the appearance of dark grey bioturbated mudstones of Barremian age, reflecting the onset of regionally continuous deep-sea mud accumulation in thermally subsidizing basins. Although superficially monotonous, the mudstone-dominated succession reveals a highly dynamic depositional system that reflects shifting marine processes during almost a full rift cycle.
Design and Development of Large-Band Dual-MSFA Sensor Camera for Precision Agriculture

The optimal design and construction of multispectral cameras can remarkably reduce the costs of spectral imaging systems and efficiently decrease the amount of image processing and analysis required. Also, multispectral imaging provides effective imaging information through higher-resolution images. This study aimed to develop novel, multispectral cameras based on Fabry–Pérot technology for agricultural applications such as plant/weed separation, ripeness estimation, and disease detection. Two multispectral cameras were developed, covering visible and near-infrared ranges from 380 nm to 950 nm. A monochrome image sensor with a resolution of 1600 × 1200 pixels was used, and two multispectral filter arrays were developed and mounted on the sensors. The filter pitch was 4.5 μm, and each multispectral filter array consisted of eight bands. Band selection was performed using a genetic algorithm. For VIS and NIR filters, maximum RMS values of 0.0740 and 0.0986 were obtained, respectively. The spectral response of the filters in VIS was significant; however, in NIR, the spectral response of the filters after 830 nm decreased by half. In total, these cameras provided 16 spectral images in high resolution for agricultural purposes.