Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skull morphometrics of male Subantarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis) from Marion and Gough Islands

Skull morphometrics of two populations of Subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) were compared in order to identify possible geographic variation as an indicator of gene flow between the populations, as well as a potential tool to identify the source of vagrant seals. Nineteen metric variables were recorded from skulls of adult male seals from Marion Island (n=31) and Gough Island (n=41). Comparative univariate and multivariate statistical analyses conducted on the two population samples included standard statistics (mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, range), multivariate analysis of variance, stepwise discriminant function analysis, cluster analysis and principal component analysis. No significant separation between the two island groups, based on cranial characteristics of adult males, was found. These findings suggest that gene flow is occurring between these populations.We conclude that skull morphometrics cannot be used to identify the origins of vagrant Subantarctic fur seals.
The effect of microglial ablation and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on a cuprizone‐induced demyelination model

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system with symptoms such as neuroinflammation, astrocytosis, microgliosis, and axonal degeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with their immunomodulation, differentiation, and neuroprotection abilities can influence the remyelination process. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of microglial ablation and MSCs transplantation on remyelination processes in the corpus callosum (CC) of the cuprizone demyelination model. For the induction of a chronic demyelination model, C57BL6 mice were fed with chow containing 0.2% cuprizone (wt/wt) for 12 weeks. For the depletion of microglia, PLX3397 was used as a colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor for 21 days. MSCs were injected to the right lateral ventricle and after 2 weeks, the mice were killed. We assessed glial cells using specific markers such as APC, Iba‐1, and GFAP using the immunohistochemistry method. Remyelination was evaluated by Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The specific genes of microglia and MSCs were evaluated by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. According to the results of the study, 21 days of PLX3397 treatment significantly reduced microglial cells, and MSCs transplantation decreased the number of astrocytes, whereas the oligodendrocytes population increased significantly in PLX + MSC group in comparison with the cuprizone mice. Furthermore, PLX and MSC treatment elevated levels of remyelination compared with the cuprizone group, as confirmed by LFB staining and TEM analysis. The molecular results showed that MSC transplantation significantly decreased the number of microglia through the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis. These results revealed that PLX3397 treatment and MSCs injection reduced microgliosis and astrocytosis. It also increased the oligodendrocytes population by enhancing remyelination in the CC of the cuprizone model of MS.
Subjective vitality and loneliness explain how coronavirus anxiety increases rumination among college students

Abstract We investigated the relationship between coronavirus anxiety and rumination with subjective vitality and loneliness as mediators. The online sample included 356 Turkish young people (M = 22.06, SD = 4.43 years). The analysis indicated that the coronavirus anxiety was directly associated with subjective vitality, loneliness, and rumination. Subjective vitality and loneliness also had direct effects on rumination. Furthermore, the indirect effect of coronavirus anxiety on rumination was mediated by subjective vitality and loneliness. These findings highlight the importance of having effective systems that account for subjective vitality and loneliness to minimize the impact of the coronavirus anxiety on rumination.
Educational Attainment of Children Born with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate in the United Kingdom

Objective: This study evaluated association between functional outcomes in children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and educational attainment. Design: Cleft Care UK (CCUK) was a United Kingdom (UK) wide cross-sectional study. Setting: UK Cleft Teams (data collected from all UK sites providing centralized cleft services). Patients, Participants: Five-year olds born with nonsyndromic UCLP (n = 268). Main Outcome Measure(s): National tests for educational attainment Key Stage 1 (KS1) undertaken by children at age 7 were linked to CCUK data to describe differences in educational attainment. Associations between functional outcomes and KS1 results were evaluated using regression analysis. We adjusted for birth month, gender, and an area-based measure of socioeconomic status. Results: Data were available for 205 children with UCLP. These children scored lower than national average (NA) scores across all subject areas, with a 0.62 lower score observed in the Average Point Score (APS; P = .01). There was association between being in a lower category for a cleft related outcomes and poorer KS1 results, with a trend for poorer attainment with higher numbers of poor functional outcomes. Those with 3 or more poor outcomes had a −2.26 (−3.55 to −0.97) lower APS compared to those with 0 to 1 poor outcomes. Conclusions: Children born with UCLP have poorer educational attainment at age 7 across all subject areas though differences were modest. Children with poor functional outcomes at age 5 had worse educational outcomes age 7. Improvements in functional outcomes could enhance educational outcomes.
Neural-Network Approximation-Based Adaptive Periodic Event-Triggered Output-Feedback Control of Switched Nonlinear Systems

This study considers an adaptive neural-network (NN) periodic event-triggered control (PETC) problem for switched nonlinear systems (SNSs). In the system, only the system output is available at sampling instants. A novel adaptive law and a state observer are constructed by using only the sampled system output. A new output-feedback adaptive NN PETC strategy is developed to reduce the usage of communication resources; it includes a controller that only uses event-sampling information and an event-triggering mechanism (ETM) that is only intermittently monitored at sampling instants. The proposed adaptive NN PETC strategy does not need restrictions on nonlinear functions reported in some previous studies. It is proven that all states of the closed-loop system (CLS) are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded (SGUUB) under arbitrary switchings by choosing an allowable sampling period. Finally, the proposed scheme is applied to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) system and a numerical example to verify its effectiveness.
Outcome of Hospitalization for COVID-19 in Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease. An International Multicenter Study

Rationale: The impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) has not been established. Objectives: To assess outcomes in patients with ILD hospitalized for COVID-19 versus those without ILD in a contemporaneous age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched population. Methods: An international multicenter audit of patients with a prior diagnosis of ILD admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 between March 1 and May 1, 2020, was undertaken and compared with patients without ILD, obtained from the ISARIC4C (International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium Coronavirus Clinical Characterisation Consortium) cohort, admitted with COVID-19 over the same period. The primary outcome was survival. Secondary analysis distinguished idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from non–idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ILD and used lung function to determine the greatest risks of death. Measurements and Main Results: Data from 349 patients with ILD across Europe were included, of whom 161 were admitted to the hospital with laboratory or clinical evidence of COVID-19 and eligible for propensity score matching. Overall mortality was 49% (79/161) in patients with ILD with COVID-19. After matching, patients with ILD with COVID-19 had significantly poorer survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.60; confidence interval, 1.17–2.18; P = 0.003) than age-, sex-, and comorbidity-matched controls without ILD. Patients with an FVC of <80% had an increased risk of death versus patients with FVC ≥80% (HR, 1.72; 1.05–2.83). Furthermore, obese patients with ILD had an elevated risk of death (HR, 2.27; 1.39−3.71). Conclusions: Patients with ILD are at increased risk of death from COVID-19, particularly those with poor lung function and obesity. Stringent precautions should be taken to avoid COVID-19 in patients with ILD.
Seasonal Horizontal and Vertical Distribution Patterns of the Supralittoral Amphipod Trinorchestia Trinitatis in Relation to Environmental Variables

The seasonal distribution of the talitrid amphipod Trinorchestia trinitatis on an exposed sandy beach was examined in relation to moisture content and temperature profiles of the sand. Sand in which animals burrowed always had moisture levels >1.7% of the wet sediment weight throughout the year. Monthly mean moisture values for talitrids ranged from 3.0-5.0%. During winter, talitrids were found high up on the beach far from the reach of the surf and burrowed deeply to avoid freezing. After the thaw in early spring, animals reduced their burrow depth and moved downshore. Large animals began migration earlier than smaller animals. From late spring to summer, the population concentrated near the strandline left by wave action during the preceding high tide, burrowing shallowly. During this period the distribution patterns varied with animal size and reproductive condition. Small animals, especially juveniles, were located shoreward of and burrowed at shallower depths than large animals and ovigerous females, which were located higher on the beach. In late summer, burrowing depth of talitrids increased as temperatures in the surface layers rose. Behavioral responses, such as burrowing and surface migration to cope with the wide fluctuation of environmental factors, mainly sand moisture content and sand temperature, are suggested to be important mechanisms enabling T trinitatis to survive in the physically severe sandy beach environment.
Older adults’ physical activity-related social control and social support in the context of personal norms

This study investigated whether perceived physical activity norms moderated the effects of physical activity-related social interactions on intentions to engage in physical activity among community-residing older adults (N = 217). Structural equation modeling tested whether two types of social support and social control interacted with personal norms in predicting intentions to be active. Emotional and informational support were associated with higher intentions, and negative social control was associated with lower intentions to engage in activity. Each of these effects was more prominent in the context of weak personal norms, suggesting future research and interventions should consider joint effects of support and norms.
Altered Ovarian Inositol Ratios May Account for Pathological Steroidogenesis in PCOS

The presence of abnormal ovarian ratios of myo-inositol (MI) to D-chiro-inositol (DCI) is a recurrent feature in PCOS. Available evidence suggests that MI and DCI may modulate steroid biosynthesis, likely in an opposite manner. Specifically, MI seems to induce estrogen production, while DCI has a role in the synthesis of androgens. Elevated insulin levels, generally associated with PCOS, alter the physiological MI/DCI ratio, increasing MI-to-DCI conversion through activation of a specific epimerase enzyme. DCI directly increases testosterone biosynthesis in thecal cells and reduces its conversion to estradiol by downregulating aromatase enzyme in granulosa cells. This manuscript reviews the literature that supports the connection between altered MI/DCI ratios and pathological steroidogenesis observed in PCOS women. Furthermore, it discusses the application of inositol-based treatment protocols in managing PCOS symptoms and improving the quality of patients’ life.
Development of machine learning models for predicting postoperative delayed remission of patients with Cushing's disease.

CONTEXT Postoperative hypercortisolemia mandates further therapy in patients with Cushing's disease (CD). Delayed remission (DR) is defined as not achieving postoperative immediate remission (IR), but having spontaneous remission during long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop and validate machine learning (ML) models for predicting DR in non-IR patients with CD. METHODS We enrolled 201 CD patients, and randomly divided them into training and test datasets. We then used the recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm to select features, and applied five ML algorithms to construct DR prediction models. We used permutation importance and local interpretable model-agnostic explanation (LIME) algorithms to determine the importance of the selected features and interpret the ML models. RESULTS Eighty-eight (43.8 %) of the 201 CD patients met the criteria for DR. Overall, patients who were younger, had low body-mass index, Knosp grade III-IV and a tumor not found by pathological examination tended to achieve a lower rate of DR. After RFE feature selection, the Adaboost model, which comprised 18 features, had the greatest discriminatory ability, and its predictive ability was significantly better than using Knosp grade and postoperative immediate morning serum cortisol (PoC). The results obtained from permutation importance and LIME algorithms showed that preoperative 24-hour urine free cortisol, PoC and age were the most important features, and showed the reliability and clinical practicability of Adaboost model in DC prediction. CONCLUSIONS ML-based models could serve as an effective non-invasive approach to predicting DR, and could aid in determining individual treatment and follow-up strategies for CD patients.
Monitoring the potassium fertility levels of four soil series from Northern India over a period of time

The changes in K fertility levels were studied in intensively cultivated farmers' fields of four soil series from northern India. According to soil test rating, no appreciable change was observed in available and reserve K status over a period of seven years in Lukhi, Nabha, Khatki and Rarha soils, but their average contents, particularly of reserve K and modal class of available K increased markedly in all the soil series. However, the influence of texture was not prominent on the changes in different forms of K in the soil. Though, the need to modify the K fertilizer uses according to the cropping pattern was reflected in most of the soil series to sustain crop productivity, the intervening period was not large enough to monitor the K fertility levels in these soil series.
Cost-effectiveness of short COH protocols with GnRH antagonists using different types of gonadotropins for in vitro fertilization

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore the cost-effectiveness of short protocols including different types of gonadotropins for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF). A retrospective, observational study of the real-life practice in a specialized IVF gynaecology clinic in 2009–2013 was carried out. All women on short COH protocols were recruited into three groups: COH including recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) and urinary-FSH (urFSH) (n = 173); including urFSH alone (n = 289); and including rFSH alone (n = 212). The cost-effectiveness of the COH protocols was explored in two different case scenarios for possible outcomes. The first case scenario took into consideration a successful live birth, and the second one, the women to achieve pregnancy with live birth. Decision modelling was done using the TreeAge 2014 Software. According to the results in the first case scenario, the rFSH plus urFSH COH approach showed the highest weighted probability (p = 0.38) of live birth, but the urFSH alternative was cost-effective. The results in the second case scenario demonstrated that the urFSH protocol was again the cost-effective alternative. These results suggest that the strategy with urFSH should be preferred in both cases, but rFSH could also be considered as a cost-effective alternative for successful live birth and achieving pregnancy and delivery, since the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in comparison with the urFSH protocol is below the gross domestic product per capita. The combined approach of rFSH and urFSH was shown not to be cost-effective in both explored scenarios.
Sperm-specific COX6B2 enhances oxidative phosphorylation, proliferation, and survival in human lung adenocarcinoma

Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are proteins whose expression is normally restricted to the testis but anomalously activated in human cancer. In sperm, a number of CTAs support energy generation, however, whether they contribute to tumor metabolism is not understood. We describe human COX6B2, a component of cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). COX6B2 is expressed in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and expression correlates with reduced survival time. COX6B2, but not its somatic isoform COX6B1, enhances activity of complex IV, increasing oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and NAD+ generation. Consequently, COX6B2-expressing cancer cells display a proliferative advantage, particularly in low oxygen. Conversely, depletion of COX6B2 attenuates OXPHOS and collapses mitochondrial membrane potential leading to cell death or senescence. COX6B2 is both necessary and sufficient for growth of human tumor xenografts in mice. Our findings reveal a previously unappreciated, tumor-specific metabolic pathway hijacked from one of the most ATP-intensive processes in the animal kingdom: sperm motility.
Absence of BCL-2 Expression Identifies a Subgroup of AML with Distinct Phenotypic, Molecular, and Clinical Characteristics

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the rapid and uncontrolled clonal growth of myeloid lineage cells in the bone marrow. The advent of oral, selective inhibitors of the B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) apoptosis pathway, such as venetoclax, will likely induce a paradigm shift in the treatment of AML. However, the high cost of this treatment and the risk of additive toxicity when used in combination with standard chemotherapy represent limitations to its use and underscore the need to identify which patients are most—and least—likely to benefit from incorporation of venetoclax into the treatment regimen. Bone marrow specimens from 93 newly diagnosed AML patients were collected in this study and evaluated for BCL-2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Using this low-cost, easily, and readily applicable analysis method, we found that 1 in 5 AML patients can be considered as BCL-2−. In addition to a lower bone marrow blast percentage, this group exhibited a favorable molecular profile characterized by lower WT1 expression and underrepresentation of FLT3 mutations. As compared to their BCL-2+ counterparts, the absence of BCL-2 expression was associated with a favorable response to standard chemotherapy and overall survival, thus potentially precluding the necessity for venetoclax add-on.
Preliminary results on the role of KwaZulu-Natal harbours as nursery grounds for juveniles of selected marine organisms which utilize estuaries

Estuaries and lagoons along the South African coast provide the only sheltered conditions on an otherwise high energy coast. The juveniles of numerous marine species, some of which are dependent on estuaries, utilize these as nursery grounds where they remain until attaining maturity. Currently most KwaZulu-Natal estuaries are being impacted upon by changing land-use patterns in their catchments and developments along their shorelines. The nursery function of many has substantially diminished over the past 30 years. Two major deep water harbours, Durban and Richards Bay exist on estuarine embayments in KwaZulu-Natal. Preliminary investigations showed that they are playing an important role as nursery areas for juveniles of marine fish and penaeid prawns normally found in estuaries. This role could be enhanced by the implementation of an environmental management policy for each harbour in conjunction with designating sites, not due for development, as natural areas. Manipulation of the latter areas could further increase the importance of these harbours for juvenile marine organisms which normally utilize estuaries along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
Prognostic Relevance of the Eighth Edition of TNM Classification for Resected Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Objectives: In our study, we evaluated and compared the prognostic value and performance of the 6th, 7th, and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system in patients undergoing surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). Methods: Patients undergoing liver surgery with curative intention for PHC between 2002 and 2019 were identified from a prospective database. Histopathological parameters and stage of the PHC were assessed according to the 6th, 7th, and 8th editions of the tumor node metastasis (TNM) classification. The prognostic accuracy between staging systems was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) model. Results: Data for a total of 95 patients undergoing liver resection for PHC were analyzed. The median overall survival time was 21 months (95% CI 8.1–33.9), and the three- and five-year survival rates were 46.1% and 36.2%, respectively. Staging according to the 8th edition vs. the 7th edition resulted in the reclassification of 25 patients (26.3%). The log-rank p-values for the 7th and 8th editions were highly statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) compared to the 6th edition (p = 0.035). The AJCC 8th edition staging system showed a trend to better discrimination, with an AUC of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.52–0.84) compared to 0.61 (95% CI: 0.51–0.73) for the 7th edition. Multivariate survival analysis revealed male gender, age >65 years, positive resection margins, presence of distant metastases, poorly tumor differentiation, and lymph node involvement, such as no caudate lobe resection, as independent predictors of poor survival (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In the current study, the newly released 8th edition of AJCC staging system showed no significant benefit compared to the previous 7th edition in predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Further research may help to improve the prognostic value of the AJCC staging system for PHC—for instance, by identifying new prognostic markers or staging criteria, which may improve that individual patient’s outcome.