Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suicidal Ideation in Newly-Diagnosed Chinese Cancer Patients

Objective Suicide is one of the main reasons cited behind the death rate of cancer, and suicidal ideation (SI) is the first step toward it. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associates of suicidal ideation in newly-diagnosed Chinese cancer patients. Methods This multicenter study was conducted from January 2018 to September 2019. Eligible participants were asked to complete a Case Record Form (CRF), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), Fear of Cancer Recurrence Questionnaire (FCRQ-7), and McGill Pain Questionnaire-Visual Analogue Scale (MPQ-VAS). Univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for assessment. Results Out of 603 patients, 91 (15.1%, 95%CI: 12.23%–17.96%) reported suicidal ideation in the last 2 weeks. Physical comorbidities (OR=1.808, P=0.039), childhood adversity experience (OR=5.999, P=0.001), cancer pain (OR=1.828, P=0.047), depression (OR=2.811, P=0.013), and anxiety (OR=6.532, P<0.001) were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. It was also found that patients who regularly exercised were less likely to report suicidal thoughts (OR=0.172, P=0.007). Conclusion Physical comorbidities, body ache, and mood disturbances are possible risk factors for suicidal ideation that warrant further attention in clinical practice. Preventive measures, such as systematic screening and arrangement for regular check-ups, could be beneficial to lower the risk of suicide.
A Group-Based Community Reinforcement Approach of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program to Improve Self-Care Behavior of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction This study evaluated a cognitive behavioral-based self-care intervention program on diabetes management in individuals with type 2 diabetes in Jiangsu Province, China. People with type 2 diabetes were recruited to a 6-month, prospective, intervention study. Methods The intervention group (n = 296) received an intensive cognitive behavioral-based self-care intervention, including group activities, frequent blood glucose monitoring, nutritional counseling, diabetes-specific meal and a weekly progress report. The control group (n = 110) received diabetes education, including diet and physical activity instruction only. Assessment data was obtained at baseline, and after 12 and/or 24 weeks of intervention. The intention to treat method was used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention program. Results The intervention group showed improved fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressures compared to the control group. The intervention group also had significantly improved knowledge and self-care behavior, and general health. Conclusion This study demonstrates that significant improvement in glycemic control and markers of cardiovascular health can occur in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes following a CBT-based intervention program that includes diabetes education, frequent blood glucose monitoring and daily use of a diabetes-specific meal plan, suggesting CBT is beneficial to improve health outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Synergic Effects of Temperature and Irradiance on the Physiology of the Marine Synechococcus Strain WH7803

Understanding how microorganisms adjust their metabolism to maintain their ability to cope with short-term environmental variations constitutes one of the major current challenges in microbial ecology. Here, the best physiologically characterized marine Synechococcus strain, WH7803, was exposed to modulated light/dark cycles or acclimated to continuous high-light (HL) or low-light (LL), then shifted to various stress conditions, including low (LT) or high temperature (HT), HL and ultraviolet (UV) radiations. Physiological responses were analyzed by measuring time courses of photosystem (PS) II quantum yield, PSII repair rate, pigment ratios and global changes in gene expression. Previously published membrane lipid composition were also used for correlation analyses. These data revealed that cells previously acclimated to HL are better prepared than LL-acclimated cells to sustain an additional light or UV stress, but not a LT stress. Indeed, LT seems to induce a synergic effect with the HL treatment, as previously observed with oxidative stress. While all tested shift conditions induced the downregulation of many photosynthetic genes, notably those encoding PSI, cytochrome b6/f and phycobilisomes, UV stress proved to be more deleterious for PSII than the other treatments, and full recovery of damaged PSII from UV stress seemed to involve the neo-synthesis of a fairly large number of PSII subunits and not just the reassembly of pre-existing subunits after D1 replacement. In contrast, genes involved in glycogen degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways were more particularly upregulated in response to LT. Altogether, these experiments allowed us to identify responses common to all stresses and those more specific to a given stress, thus highlighting genes potentially involved in niche acclimation of a key member of marine ecosystems. Our data also revealed important specific features of the stress responses compared to model freshwater cyanobacteria.
Non-BRAF Mutant Melanoma: Molecular Features and Therapeutical Implications

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive tumors of the skin, and its incidence is growing worldwide. Historically considered a drug resistant disease, since 2011 the therapeutic landscape of melanoma has radically changed. Indeed, the improved knowledge of the immune system and its interactions with the tumor, and the ever more thorough molecular characterization of the disease, has allowed the development of immunotherapy on the one hand, and molecular target therapies on the other. The increased availability of more performing technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), and the availability of increasingly large genetic panels, allows the identification of several potential therapeutic targets. In light of this, numerous clinical and preclinical trials are ongoing, to identify new molecular targets. Here, we review the landscape of mutated non-BRAF skin melanoma, in light of recent data deriving from Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES) or Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) studies on melanoma cohorts for which information on the mutation rate of each gene was available, for a total of 10 NGS studies and 992 samples, focusing on available, or in experimentation, targeted therapies beyond those targeting mutated BRAF. Namely, we describe 33 established and candidate driver genes altered with frequency greater than 1.5%, and the current status of targeted therapy for each gene. Only 1.1% of the samples showed no coding mutations, whereas 30% showed at least one mutation in the RAS genes (mostly NRAS) and 70% showed mutations outside of the RAS genes, suggesting potential new roads for targeted therapy. Ongoing clinical trials are available for 33.3% of the most frequently altered genes.
IL-15 and IL15RA in Osteoarthritis: Association With Symptoms and Protease Production, but Not Structural Severity

Objective: Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is increased in joint fluids of early-stage osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and has been associated with expression of proteases that can damage cartilage, and the development of neuropathic pain-like symptoms (NP) after nerve injury. The objective of this study was to further explore the role of IL-15 in the pathogenesis of OA cartilage degeneration and test genetic variation in the IL-15 receptor α gene (IL15RA) for an association with OA with radiographic severity and symptoms. Methods: Cartilage samples from donors (n = 10) were analyzed for expression of the IL15 receptor α-chain using immunohistochemistry, and for responses to IL-15 in vitro using explant cultures. Data from two independent Nottinghamshire-based studies (n = 795 and n = 613) were used to test genetic variants in the IL15RA gene (rs2228059 and rs7097780) for an association with radiographic severity, symptomatic vs. asymptomatic OA and NP. Results: IL-15Rα was expressed in chondrocytes from cartilage obtained from normal and degenerative knees. IL-15 significantly increased the release of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -3 (MMP-1 and -3), but did not affect loss of proteoglycan from the articular matrix. Genetic variants in the IL15RA gene are associated with risk of symptomatic vs. asymptomatic OA (rs7097780 OR = 1.48 95% 1.10–1.98 p < 0.01) and with the risk of NP post-total joint replacement (rs2228059 OR = 0.76 95% 0.63–0.92 p < 0.01) but not with radiographic severity. Conclusions: In two different cohorts of patients, we show an association between genetic variation at the IL15 receptor and pain. Although ex vivo cartilage explants could respond to IL-15 with increased protease production, we found no effect of IL-15 on cartilage matrix loss and no association between IL15RA variants and radiographic severity. Together, these results suggest that IL-15 signaling may be a target for pain, but may not impact structural progression, in OA.
Plasma Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p as Potential Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Screening

Introduction Liquid biopsy using circulating microvesicles and exosomes is emerging as a new diagnostic tool that could improve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) early diagnosis and screening protocols. Our study aimed to investigate the utility of plasma exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92-3p for HCC diagnosis during screening protocols. Methods The study group included 106 subjects: 48 patients diagnosed with HCC during screening, who underwent a potentially curative treatment (surgical resection or liver transplantation), 38 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) on the waiting list for liver transplantation, and 20 healthy volunteers. The exosomes were isolated by precipitation with a reagent based on polyethylene glycol and were characterized based on morphological aspects (i.e., diameter); molecular weight; CD63, CD9, and CD81 protein markers; and exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p expression levels. Results We first demonstrate that the exosome population isolated with the commercially available Total Exosome Isolation kit respects the same size ranging, morphological, and protein expression aspects compared to the traditional ultracentrifugation technique. The analysis of the expression profile indicates that miR-21-5p was upregulated (p = 0.017), and miR-92a-3p was downregulated (p = 0.0005) in plasma-derived exosomes from HCC subjects, independently from the patient’s characteristics. AUROC for HCC diagnosis based on AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) was 0.72. By integrating AFP and the relative expression of exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p in a logistic regression equation for HCC diagnosis, the combined AUROC of the new exosomal miR HCC score was 0.85—significantly better than serum AFP alone (p = 0.0007). Conclusion Together with serum AFP, plasma exosomal miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p could be used as potential biomarkers for HCC diagnosis in patients with LC subjected to screening and surveillance.
Identification of molecular markers linked to salt‐tolerant genes at germination stage of rice

An F2 : 4 population derived from the cross between salt-tolerant variety ‘Gharib’ (indica) and salt-sensitive variety Sepidroud (indica) was used to determine the germination traits. The seeds were treated with 80 mm NaCl (salt stress), and 11 traits were determined as indicators for salt-tolerant including germination rate, germination percentage, radicle length, plumule length, coleoptile length, plumule fresh and dry weight, radicle fresh and dry weight and coleoptile fresh and dry weight. A linkage map of 2475.7 cM with an average interval of 10.48 cM was constructed using 105 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and 131 SSR markers. As many as that 17 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected related to germination traits under salt stress condition; some of them are being reported for first time. Also, overlapping of QTLs related to salt tolerance was observed in this study. The identification of genomic regions associated with salt-tolerant and its components under salt stress will be useful for marker-based approaches to improve salt-tolerant for farmers in salt-prone rice environments.
Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Suppresses Glioma Stem-Like Cells Likely Through Inducing Autophagic Cell Death

Glioblastoma (GBM) often recurs after radio- and chemotherapies leading to poor prognosis. Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) contribute to drug resistance and recurrence. Thus, understanding cellular mechanism underlying the growth of GSCs is critical for the treatment of GBM. Here GSCs were isolated from human U87 GBM cells with magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) using CD133 as a marker. The CD133+ cells highly expressed sonic hedgehog (Shh) and were capable of forming tumor spheroids in vitro and tumor in vivo. Athymic mice received intracranial injection of luciferase transduced parental and CD133+ GBM cells was utilized as orthotopic GBM model. Inhibited Shh by LDE225 delayed GBM growth in vivo, and downregulated Ptch1 and Gli1. CD133+ cell proliferation was more sensitive to inhibition by LDE225 than that of CD133− cells. Treatment with LDE225 significantly reduced CD133+-derived tumor spheroid formation. Large membranous vacuoles appeared in the LDE225-treated cells concomitant with the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II. In addition, LDE225-induced cell death was mitigated in the presence of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Tumor growth was much slower in Shh shRNA-knockdown mice than in control RNA-transfected mice. Conversely, tumor growth was faster in Shh overexpressed mice. Furthermore, combination of LDE225 and rapamycin treatment resulted in additive effect on LC3-I to LC3-II conversion and reduction in cell viability. However, LDE225 did not affect the phosphorylated level of mTOR. Similarly, amiodarone, an mTOR-independent autophagy enhancer, reduced CD133+ cell viability and tumor spheroid formation in vitro and exhibited anti-tumor activity in vivo. These results suggest that Shh inhibitor induces autophagy of CD133+ cells likely through mTOR independent pathway. Targeting Shh signal pathway may overcome chemoresistance and provide a therapeutic strategy for patients with malignant gliomas.
From Animal Poisons and Venoms to Medicines: Achievements, Challenges and Perspectives in Drug Discovery

Animal poisons and venoms are comprised of different classes of molecules displaying wide-ranging pharmacological activities. This review aims to provide an in-depth view of toxin-based compounds from terrestrial and marine organisms used as diagnostic tools, experimental molecules to validate postulated therapeutic targets, drug libraries, prototypes for the design of drugs, cosmeceuticals, and therapeutic agents. However, making these molecules applicable requires extensive preclinical trials, with some applications also demanding clinical trials, in order to validate their molecular target, mechanism of action, effective dose, potential adverse effects, as well as other fundamental parameters. Here we go through the pitfalls for a toxin-based potential therapeutic drug to become eligible for clinical trials and marketing. The manuscript also presents an overview of the current picture for several molecules from different animal venoms and poisons (such as those from amphibians, cone snails, hymenopterans, scorpions, sea anemones, snakes, spiders, tetraodontiformes, bats, and shrews) that have been used in clinical trials. Advances and perspectives on the therapeutic potential of molecules from other underexploited animals, such as caterpillars and ticks, are also reported. The challenges faced during the lengthy and costly preclinical and clinical studies and how to overcome these hindrances are also discussed for that drug candidates going to the bedside. It covers most of the drugs developed using toxins, the molecules that have failed and those that are currently in clinical trials. The article presents a detailed overview of toxins that have been used as therapeutic agents, including their discovery, formulation, dosage, indications, main adverse effects, and pregnancy and breastfeeding prescription warnings. Toxins in diagnosis, as well as cosmeceuticals and atypical therapies (bee venom and leech therapies) are also reported. The level of cumulative and detailed information provided in this review may help pharmacists, physicians, biotechnologists, pharmacologists, and scientists interested in toxinology, drug discovery, and development of toxin-based products.
Life History Orientation Predicts COVID-19 Precautions and Projected Behaviors

The ongoing Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a devastating impact worldwide. It is unclear as to what one expects during the “post-peak” and “post-pandemic” periods in terms of: (1) continued adherence to precautionary measures (e.g., wearing a mask) and (2) behaviors during these periods pertaining to widespread (anticipated) medical solutions that can buffer subsequent waves (e.g., vaccination and donating plasma). In this study, we examine predictors of individual differences in attitudes and behaviors with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic and the months moving forward. Of the factors that contribute to how one might navigate the pandemic – a source of elevated environmental threat – life history orientation may play a crucial role. In this study, participants (n = 209) indicated their agreement with items on attitudes toward COVID-19 precautions and medical solutions that can buffer subsequent waves. In all models, we found significant positive relationships between one’s slow life history orientation and their self-reported adherence to precautions and endorsement of medical solutions. This effect was detectable even after controlling for factors related to political conservatism and personal experience with deleterious events as a result of the pandemic. Discussion includes reflection on the main finding, demographic variables, as well as the relationships uncovered among the modeled covariates (e.g., social conservatism, political conservatism).
Seed retention times in the New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaezeelandiae novaeseelandiae)

We offered ripe fruits of tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa), taraire (B. tarairi), and pūriri (Vitex lucens) to captive New Zealand pigeons (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) and recorded seed retention times. We also recorded seed retention times while radio-tracking wild pigeons in Taranaki and Canterbury. We report wild pigeon retention times for tawa, pūriri, miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea), fivefinger (Pseudopanax arboreus), and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) seeds. Where data were available for the same plant species from wild and captive pigeons, retention times were similar. Seed retention time differed significantly among fruit species, and was positively related to seed mass. Mean retention times ranged from 37-45 min for the two smallest-seeded species (fivefinger and kahikatea) up to 109-181 min for the three largest species (pūriri, taraire, and tawa). We also report the second published instance of regurgitation by the New Zealand pigeon.
Patterns of Spatial Distribution and Seed Dispersal among Bottomland Hardwood Tree Species

ABSTRACT Patterns of tree species distributions in bottomlands are a result of various environmental and biological factors, including flood tolerance, seed dispersal, and species interactions. We evaluated the patterns of distribution and seed dispersal of tree species in a naturally regenerating bottomland hardwood forest in northeast Louisiana. We used nearest neighbor analysis to determine distribution patterns of the following canopy-dominant tree species: Carya aquatica, Celtis laevigata, Diospyros virginiana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Gleditsia triacanthos, and Quercus nigra. Results indicated an aggregated distribution pattern for Q. nigra, G. triacanthos, D. virginiana, and Ce. laevigata, while Ca. aquatica and F. pennsylvanica had random distributions in the study area. Additionally, we designed and used three types of seed traps to assess the seed dispersal of tree species. Modeled patterns of seed dispersal for F. pennsylvanica, Ca. aquatica, and Crataegus viridis indicated aggregated seed dispersal for these species. Low seed captures for all other species prevented modeling of their seed dispersal patterns. These results indicate that many of the tree species characteristic of bottomlands have nonrandom distributions. These distributions could be due to a variety of biotic or abiotic factors. Seed dispersal was similarly aggregated, at least for species where seed capture totals were high enough for modeling. Characterizing patterns in plant distribution and seed dispersal is important for understanding how plant communities develop during succession. Bottomland reforestation efforts should focus on planting species to match their natural distributions in an attempt to restore these communities to a more natural state.
Influence of male courtship intensity and male-male competition on paternity distribution in Hermann's tortoise, Testudo hermanni hermanni (Chelonia: Testudinidae)

Honest-advertisement models of sexual selection suggest that condition-dependent male secondary sexual characters could function as reliable signals of male quality, enabling females to discriminate among potential partners, both in the pre- and post-copulatory phases. In this context, many studies have revealed the importance of promiscuous mating systems and female sperm storage in determining the occurrence of such a model of sexual selection. By contrast, few studies have investigated the presence and extent of post-copulatory female choice in chelonian species. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of male size, male–male competition, and courtship intensity on paternity distribution in Testudo hermanni hermanni, combining behavioural and genetic data. We created experimental groups composed of two males of different sizes and three or four randomly selected females. Observations conducted during social interactions between males revealed that a hierarchy, unrelated to male size, was soon established: Alpha males were more aggressive towards competitors and courted females more intensively. Alpha males also achieved a higher mounting success than Beta males. Paternity analysis performed on hatchlings produced from experimental females revealed that male reproductive success was not correlated with male–female size ratio. Finally, despite the higher mounting success of Alpha males, paternity analysis revealed that male reproductive success did not differ between Alpha and Beta males. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111, 656–667. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: assignment – female choice – intrasexual competition – reproductive success – sperm storage.
Student perspectives towards school responses to cyber-risk and safety: the presumption of the prudent digital citizen

ABSTRACT While previous research identifies skepticism and some animosity among students towards school-based cyber-safety programs, drawing from focus group discussions with Canadian teens, this paper contributes to unpacking reasons for both support for ‘what works’ and antagonism for what is perceived to be lacking. Our findings reveal support for repeated messages, including those eliciting fear, especially for younger students. Criticisms most often centered on the questionable relatability of the messages, and the need for more practical information (e.g., privacy management). Criticisms are largely concentrated among female teens. Among our participants, the concentration of cyber-safety messages is being received in junior high school, with less emphasis by the time students reach high school. We argue that by high school students are expected to have successfully internalized the directives for online safety received in earlier grades, and have acquired, to a greater or lesser extent, a sense of prudentialism and self-control.