Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Loss and Gain Incentives on Adherence in Pediatric Weight Management: Preliminary Studies and Economic Evaluation of a Theoretical Trial

Pediatric weight management is often hampered by poor engagement and adherence. Incentives based on loss have been shown to be more effective than gain-based incentives in improving outcomes among children with health conditions other than obesity. In preparation for a clinical trial comparing loss-framed to gain-framed incentives, a survey of youth and caregiver attitudes on weight management incentives, reasons for program attendance, and an economic evaluation of a theoretical trial were conducted. Ninety of 835 (11%) surveys were completed by caregiver and child. The economic evaluation showed that loss-framed incentives had a preferable incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (a lower value is considered preferable) than gain-based incentives. Most youth and caregivers felt a gain incentive would be superior, agreed that the full incentive should go to the youth (vs. the caregiver), and identified “improving health” as a top reason for pursuing weight management.
Polyphenol Supplementation and Antioxidant Status in Athletes: A Narrative Review

Antioxidants in sports exercise training remain a debated research topic. Plant-derived polyphenol supplements are frequently used by athletes to reduce the negative effects of exercise-induced oxidative stress, accelerate the recovery of muscular function, and enhance performance. These processes can be efficiently modulated by antioxidant supplementation. The existing literature has failed to provide unequivocal evidence that dietary polyphenols should be promoted specifically among athletes. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge regarding polyphenols’ bioavailability, their role in exercise-induced oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and supplementation strategies in athletes. Overall, we draw attention to the paucity of available evidence suggesting that most antioxidant substances are beneficial to athletes. Additional research is necessary to reveal more fully their impact on exercise-induced oxidative stress and athletes’ antioxidant status, as well as optimal dosing methods.
Clinical utility of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein in glial neoplasm

Background: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a member of the cytoskeletal protein family and is widely expressed in astroglial and neural stem cells, also in glial tumors such as astrocytoma and Glioblastoma (GBM). Increased GFAP expression and disruption of the blood–brain barrier are the characteristic features of GBM. Higher serum GFAP levels can help differentiate GBM from GBM mimics (such as primary central nervous system lymphoma, metastasis, or demyelinating lesions). Methods: This prospective study was carried out in a tertiary care center in the department of neurosurgery on newly diagnosed glioma patients who underwent surgery from January 2018 to July 2019, excluded patients with history of the previous surgery for glioma, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. The blood sample was obtained at admission before undergoing invasive procedure. Pathological examination of the tumor biopsy sample was carried out using classical hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: The mean preoperative tumor volume was 40 cm3 (range 17.19–65.57 cm3; standard deviation [SD] = 9.99 cm3) which showed 98.25% mean reduction in volume postsurgery (mean tumor volume = 0.7 cm3; SD = 0.19 cm3). Preoperative serum GFAP measurements show higher levels (spearman’s rho coefficient = 0.610 with P = 0.000) with increasing grade of tumor. GFAP levels also demonstrated higher value with increasing preoperative tumor volume. Conclusion: Increasing serum GFAP levels in the preoperative period correlate with higher tumor grade, especially grade III and grade IV tumors. The serum GFAP levels showed relation to tumor volume, both before and after surgery.
Phylogenomics and systematics of Entomobryoidea (Collembola): marker design, phylogeny and classification

Entomobryoidea has been the focus of phylogenetic studies in recent years owing to a divergence between morphological and genetic data. Recent phylogenies have converged on the sister relationship of Orchesellidae with the remaining Entomobryoidea, and on the non‐monophyly of the traditional Paronellidae and Entomobryidae, but still lack resolution. Known molecular phylogenies of the superfamily differ greatly between mitogenomic and multilocus markers. For this reason, we designed universal single‐copy orthologue (USCO) and ultraconserved element (UCE) marker sets specific for Entomobryoidea, based on 11 genome assemblies. Upon the newly designed 3406 USCOs and 4030 UCEs, we analysed 34 species covering all Entomobryoidea families and major subfamilies. New data for 26 species were mined from whole‐genome sequencing. Phylogenetic inference confirmed the Orchesellidae as an independent family and the Entomobryinae remained the most puzzling taxon gathering scaled and unscaled lineages of both traditional Entomobryidae and Paronellidae. To accommodate Paronellides, Zhuqinia and related genera, Paronellidinae subfam. nov. is proposed within Entomobryidae. The sampled representatives of Paronellinae were recovered as the sister group of (Seirinae+Lepidocyrtinae), suggesting that reduction on the dorsal macrochaetotaxy and trunk sensillar pattern may have occurred independently within the Lepidocyrtinae and Paronellinae or represent their symplesiomorphy posteriorly modified in the Seirinae. The current systematics of the superfamily are revised here, with Entomobryidae now comprising six subfamilies, including all taxa with smooth dens. Our data also point out that all the main events of cladogenesis of the families and subfamilies of Entomobryoidea occurred during the Jurassic. Our genome‐scale phylogenomics provides a complete, reliable example for systematics of Entomobryoidea, as well as other invertebrates in the big data era.
The gruneisen parameter of the softferroelectric mode in the cubic perovskites

It is shown that because of the unique properties of the soft ferroelectric mode in perovskites of the BaTiO3-type, as well as in related displacive ferroelectrics, the Gruneisen parameter γf of this mode and its temperature dependence can be simply determined from measurements of the pressure and temperature dependences of the static dielectric constant e in the cubic paraelectric phase. γf is given by the relationship γf = e/2xC*, where x is the isothermal volume compressibility and C* is a constant determined from the pressure measurements. The product xC* is very nearly temperature-independent so that the temperature dependence of γf reflects that of e and thus γf obeys a Curie-Weiss law. The necessary data are given for SrTiO3, KTaO3, BaTiO3 PbTiO3 PbZrO3 and PbHfO3.
Predicting lethal outcome risks in patients with craniomaxillofacial trauma and polytrauma by the ISS and NISS

Multiple papers reveal no reliable difference between early and delayed maxillofacial injuries treatment in postoperative complications in patients with craniomaxillofacial trauma and polytrauma. A choice factor of the treatment tactics is the lethal outcome risk, as well as the lethal outcome prognosis. In order to objectivize the severity of trauma authors suggested the assessment scores which represent patient’s condition severity in points and provide lethal outcome risk estimation, — Injury Severity Score (ISS) and New Injury Severity Score (NISS), each with advantages and disadvantages of prognosing the lethal outcome. Though, the data on its preciseness and informativeness regarding patients with combined craniomaxillofacial trauma are limited, and the results, obtained from various authors, seem to be controversial. Objective — to identify and compare the threshold (critical) values of the ISS and NISS assessment scales which predict the lethal outcome risks in patients with craniomaxillofacial trauma and polytrauma. Materials and methods. During 2016 — 2019 years 503 patients were treated due to maxillofacial traumas and associated injuries. Patients age ranged from 18 till 91 years, (average age — 30.5 years). There was a male predominance in the sample (84.3 %). Facial bone fractures occurred in 70 % of cases (352 patients). Mainly after assaults (44 %), falls (20 %) and motor‑vehicle accidents (16 %). The other etiological factors included occupational traumas (0.5 %), sport traumas (1 %) and unknown aetiology traumas. The study evaluated patients with facial and concomitant injuries, who received multidisciplinary treatment in a specialized trauma hospital. Values of Injury Severity Score and New Injury Severity Score were statistically analyzed to evaluate effectiveness in prognosing lethal outcome risks. Results. Mortality in the sample was 3 % (15 patients). With the optimum cut‑off value of ISS > 24, lethal outcome prognosis model sensitivity yields 93.3 %, specificity — 91.4 %. With the optimum cut‑off value NISS > 36, the lethal outcome prognosis sensitivity yields 86.7 %, its specificity 92.4 %. Conclusions. ISS and NISS demonstrate similar effectiveness in prognosing lethal outcome risks. The difference of area under the curve of both trauma severity estimation methods is not statistically significant (р = 0.651). Both indicators could be used in daily practice in specialized hospitals to assess the patient’s condition and determine priority of treatment steps.
Expectations for {sup 12}C and {sup 16}O induced fusion cross sections at energies of astrophysical interest

The extrapolations of cross sections for fusion reactions involving {sup 12}C and {sup 16}O nuclei down to energies relevant for explosive stellar burning have been reexamined. Based on a systematic study of fusion in heavier systems, it is expected that a suppression of the fusion process will also be present in these light heavy-ion systems at extreme sub-barrier energies due to the saturation properties of nuclear matter. Previous phenomenological extrapolations of the S factor for light heavy-ion fusion based on optical model calculations may therefore have overestimated the corresponding reaction rates. A new ''recipe'' is proposed to extrapolate S factors for light heavy-ion reactions to low energies taking the hindrance behavior into account. It is based on a fit to the logarithmic derivative of the experimental cross section which is much less sensitive to overall normalization discrepancies between different data sets than other approaches. This method, therefore, represents a significant improvement over other extrapolations. The impact on the astrophysical reaction rates is discussed.
Positive solutions to Δu - Vu + Wup = 0 and its parabolic counterpart in noncompact manifolds

We consider the equation Δu - V(x) u + W(x)u p = 0 and its parabolic counterpart in noncompact manifolds. Under some natural conditions on the positive functions V and W, which may only have 'slow' or no decay near infinity, we establish existence of positive solutions in both the critical and the subcritical case. This leads to the solutions, in the difficult positive curvature case, of many scalar curvature equation in noncompact manifolds. The result is new even in the Euclidean space. In the subcritical, parabolic case, we also prove the convergence of some global solutions to nontrivial stationary solutions.
Lie Groups, Lie Algebras, Cohomology and Some Applications in Physics

This book provides an introduction to the cohomology theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras and to some of its applications in physics. The mathematical topics covered include the differential geometry of Lie groups, fibre bundles and connections, characteristic classes, index theorems, extensions of Lie groups and algebras, Chevalley - Eilenberg cohomology of Lie algebras, symplectic cohomology and an introduction to infinite-dimensional Lie groups and algebras. The physical applications include the U(1) (Dirac) monopole, SU(2) instantons and various aspects of anomalies (Wess - Zumino - Witten terms, Abelian and non-Abelian anomaly, path-integral derivation and descent equations). The material presented is essentially self-contained and at a basic graduate text level. The material is also well organized and the book reads very well. The book would be most useful for graduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics who are interested in applications of Lie group and Lie algebra cohomology in particle physics. Even though most of the proofs of the mathematical theorems are presented, the focus is more on explaining the ideas than striving for mathematical rigour, therefore the book would be less suitable for those students who are interested in the mathematical foundations per se. Since the book seems to aim for physics students, it is a pity that - apart from the topic of anomalies which is covered very thoroughly - the applications are only briefly touched upon. Other applications of current interest, such as non-Abelian monopoles and instantons for gauge groups other than SU(2) as well as their moduli spaces, are not discussed at all even though the necessary mathematical background is presented and thus they seem well within the scope of the book. It must be said, however, that the lack of different applications is compensated for by an excellent set of bibliographical notes and references at the end of each chapter. The book is warmly recommended.
Models for solar magnetic loops - I. A simple theoretical model and diagnostic procedure

In the present paper the quasi-static model of Landini & Monsignori Fossi ([CITE]) for coronal loops is improved and a simple diagnostic procedure is developed to compare the most important physical properties of the model with a set of spectral observations of loops such as those obtained by the CDS and SUMER instruments on SOHO. The model assumes quasi-static and isobaric conditions and solves the energy equation among radiative losses, a constant heating function and heat conduction. The model is allowed to have a variable loop section. To better match the latest observational results, an isothermal section of the loop is added at the top of the loop model; its effects on the diagnostic technique and on the shape of the unknown heating function are discussed. A numerical simulation is shown and the effect of the isothermal region is discussed. In a second paper (Brkovic et al. [CITE], Paper II) the present model will be compared with observations from the SOHO satellite.
Carrot hairy roots (Daucus carota L.) characterisation and optimisation for high β‐carotene extraction

Hairy roots are widely known as a biological system for the production of highly diverse biomolecules. β‐carotene – a precursor for vitamin A – is known to be an anti‐oxidant and anti‐gastric cancer and protection agent against cardiovascular disease, heart disease and stroke. β‐carotene has been chemically synthesised and consumed by humans. However, the chemical process often produces a by‐product that may be harmful to human health. Therefore, this study established a protocol to induce hairy roots (HRs) from a Vietnamese carrot variety and produce natural β‐carotene. The Rhizobium rhizogenes ATCC15834 harbouring Ri plasmid and a Vietnamese carrot variety were used as materials for genetic transformation and HR induction studies. The result showed that approximately 50 HR lines were obtained. Culture medium supplemented with 30 mg/L of sucrose that gave the highest biomass of HR was shown in carrot HR line 30, which had a doubling time of 6.5 days. The highest content of β‐carotene extraction, at 128 mg/100g hairy roots, was achieved with a ratio volume (v/v) of 2‐propanol and plant samples of 20:1, followed by two hours’ incubation with 2‐propanol at 60 °C. Our study reveals a highly efficient protocol for Vietnamese carrot hairy root establishment and multiplication. A very efficient protocol for β‐carotene extraction from the hairy root was established to produce natural β‐carotene that achieves the same β‐carotene quantity as that produced by normal roots. This study provides new insight into the production of high‐content and natural β‐carotene for therapeutic application.
Design and Cloning of Gene Encoding SLPI C-Terminal Domain in Escherichia coli TOP10

Elevated levels of neutrophil elastase in CPOD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) airways are regarded as the main trigger of lung destruction and inflammation. SLPI (Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor), an inhibitor protease, represents an attractive candidate for treatment in chronic lung diseases due to proteases excess. The antiprotease active site of SLPI has been located on the C-terminal domain. This study aimed to design and clone the gene encoding the C-terminal domain of SLPI (SLPIc). The gene encoding SLPIc was optimized and predicted solubility using OptimumGene™ and SoDoPe software. The nucleotide sequence of the optimized SLPIc was synthesized, inserted into the pGEX 4T-2 vector commercially by Genscript, and transformed into the Escherichia coli TOP10. The pGEX 4T-2 vector contains a glutathione S transferase (GST) gene located before the MCS to generate a recombinant protein for fusion with GST. For purification purposes, the His-tag synthesized together with SLPIc. The optimized SLPIc nucleotide sequence gave a CAI value of 0.81, GC content 52.31, and a CFD of 2%. The solubility probability of SLPI fused with GST increased from 0.124 to 0.4656. Confirmation of the transformant using restriction and sequencing analysis showed that the gene encoding of SLPI domain C-terminal optimized in the pGEX 4T-2 plasmid was successfully transformed into E. coli TOP10 as novelty of this study. The optimized SLPIc gene in pGEX 4T-2 has a high probability of being expressed in E. coli based on in-silico analysis.
Activation of cGAS-STING Pathway Is Associated with MSI-H Stage IV Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary Metastatic colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality in adults. New therapeutic strategies are currently being implemented for the treatment of colorectal cancer which require new predictive markers. Metastatic colorectal cancer often presents microsatellite instability which is associated with a positive response to immune therapy. The findings of the present study demonstrate and discuss the DNA sensor cGAS and cyclic GMP–AMP receptor stimulator of interferon genes (STING) as potential new targets for novel therapeutic approaches based on immune checkpoint inhibitors in microsatellite unstable stage IV colorectal cancer. Abstract Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in adults. Understanding colorectal tumorigenesis at both the cellular and molecular levels is crucial for developing effective treatment options. Forty-one biopsy samples from patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) were collected at Split University Hospital in Croatia. A total of 41 patients (21 with microsatellite unstable tumours and 20 with microsatellite stable tumours) were randomly included in the study. Immunolabelling of cGAS and STING in metastatic CRC was performed and further complemented by histological classification, tumour grade, and KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutational status of mCRC. In bivariate analysis, elevated expression of cGAS and STING was positively associated with MSI-H colon cancer (Fisher’s exact test, both p = 0.0203). Combined expression analysis of cGAS and STING showed a significantly higher percentage of patients with mCRC MSI-H with a fully or partially activated cGAS-STING signalling pathway (chi-square test, p = 0.0050). After adjusting for age, sex, and STING expression, increased cGAS expression remained significantly associated with MSI-H colon cancer in a multiple logistic regression model (β = 1.588, SE = ±0.799, p = 0.047). The cGAS-STING signalling axis represents a compelling new target for optimization of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapeutic approaches in patients with MSI-H stage IV CRC.
Experimental and theoretical isotope shifts of strontium levels subject to very strong configuration mixing

The isotope shifts of the levels 5p2 1D2, 1S0 and 5sns 1S0(n=7, 8) of strontium have been measured between the isotopes 84, 86, 87 and 88 in two-photon transitions from the ground state using two lasers with different wavelengths. These levels occur below the beginning of the Rydberg series, and are known to exhibit very strong configuration mixing. Mass and field isotope shifts are calculated ab initio by means of the MCHF method for these levels and 5s4d 1D2, 5s6s 1S0. The qualitative agreement between theory and experiment confirms the necessity of taking into account the mixing (up to 50%) with both the 5p2 and 4d2 perturbers in the wavefunction expansions.
The integral of geometric Brownian motion

This paper is about the probability law of the integral of geometric Brownian motion over a finite time interval. A partial differential equation is derived for the Laplace transform of the law of the reciprocal integral, and is shown to yield an expression for the density of the distribution. This expression has some advantages over the ones obtained previously, at least when the normalized drift of the Brownian motion is a non-negative integer. Bougerol's identity and a relationship between Brownian motions with opposite drifts may also be seen to be special cases of these results.
Siblings with profound connective tissue disease: First report of biallelic TGFBR1‐related Loeys‐Dietz syndrome

Heterozygous missense variants in TGFBR1, encoding one subunit of the transforming growth factor‐beta receptor, are a well‐established cause of Loeys‐Dietz syndrome (LDS)—an autosomal dominant disorder with variable phenotypic expression. Patients with LDS have compromised connective tissues that can result in life‐threatening arterial aneurysms, craniosynostosis, characteristic craniofacial and skeletal anomalies, skin translucency, and abnormal wound healing. We report a full sibship with a biallelic type of TGFBR1‐related disease. Each born at 38 weeks had aortic root dilation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), skin translucency, and profound joint laxity at birth. Both had progressive dilation of the aorta and recurrence of a diaphragmatic defect after plication early in infancy. Patient 1 died at 66 days of age and Patient 2 is alive at 4 years and 4 months of age with multiple morbidities including cystic lung disease complicated by recurrent pneumothoraces and ventilator dependence, craniosynostosis, cervical spine instability, progressive dilation of the aorta, worsening pectus excavatum, large lateral abdominal wall hernia, and diffuse aortic ectasia. Fibroblasts cultured from Patient 2 showed decreased TGF‐β responsiveness when compared to control fibroblasts, consistent with previous observations in cells from individuals with autosomal dominant LDS. Whole genome copy number evaluation and sequencing for both patients including their parents as reference revealed compound heterozygous variants of uncertain clinical significance in exon 2 of TGFBR1 (c.239G>A; p.Arg80Gln paternal and c.313C>G; p.His105Asp maternal) in both siblings in trans. Each parent with their respective variant has no apparent medical issues and specifically no LDS characteristics. Neither of these variants have been previously reported. Thousands of patients have been diagnosed with LDS—an established autosomal dominant disease. These siblings represent the first reports of biallelic TGFBR1‐related LDS and expand the differential diagnosis of CDH.