Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SMC4, a novel tumor prognostic marker and potential tumor therapeutic target

The structural maintenance of chromosome 4 (SMC4) is a member of the ATPase family of chromosomes. The most widely reported function of SMC4, as well as the remaining subunits of whole condensin complexes, is compression and dissociation of sister chromatids, DNA damage repair, DNA recombination, and pervasive transcription of the genome. Studies have also shown that SMC4 plays an exceedingly essential role in the division cycle of embryonic cells, such as RNA splicing, DNA metabolic process, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix. On the other hand, SMC4 is also a positive regulator of the inflammatory innate immune response, while excessive innate immune responses not only disrupt immune homeostasis and may lead to autoimmune diseases, but even cancer. To further understand the expression and prognostic value of SMC4 in tumors, we provide an in-depth review of the literature and several bioinformatic databases, for example, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), The Human Protein Atlas and Kaplan Meier plotter tools, illustrating that SMC4 plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of tumors, and high expression of SMC4 seems to consistently predict worse overall survival. In conclusion, we present this review which introduces the structure, biological function of SMC4, and its correlation with the tumor in detail; it might provide new insight into a novel tumor prognostic marker and potential tumor therapeutic target.
SmokePose: End-to-End Smoke Keypoint Detection

Smoke detection has been a research focus due to its application value in fire and toxic gas leakage alarms. Here we formulate a novel research paradigm for in-depth smoke analysis: modeling the smoke plume in an image with two semantic keypoints, i.e., the start-point (where the smoke comes from) and the end-point (where the smoke spreads), and localizing the keypoints through a heatmap-based detection method. A specialized dataset is developed for smoke keypoint detection, collecting images online and manually annotating the keypoints. Based on the dataset, we propose a Transformer-based model called SmokePose that employs a hierarchical Transformer encoder and a pure Transformer decoder to detect smoke keypoints in an end-to-end manner. We demonstrated the performance of the proposed SmokePose with comparative experiments and ablation studies. A further discussion on the visualization of the attention maps helps to understand the mechanism of SmokePose and to reveal essential image clues for smoke keypoint detection.
Novel Insights into RAD52’s Structure, Function, and Druggability for Synthetic Lethality and Innovative Anticancer Therapies

Simple Summary Human RAD52 is a non-essential DNA/RNA-binding protein thought to be involved in many DNA repair mechanisms. Initially regarded as having a major role only in error-prone backup DNA repair mechanisms, RAD52 has recently gained attention because its inhibition induces synthetic lethality in cancer cells with an inactivated homologous recombination pathway (for error-free double-strand-break repair). RAD52 is thus a potential target to overcome resistance and unwanted side effects. Unfortunately, researchers still lack detailed structural and mechanistic information on RAD52 and have identified only a limited number of inhibitors, none of which are in the preclinical phase. This review summarizes the current knowledge on RAD52, highlighting the potential of its inhibition. This review also discusses the critical gaps in knowledge and sets out future directions for effective campaigns to discover RAD52 inhibitors. Abstract In recent years, the RAD52 protein has been highlighted as a mediator of many DNA repair mechanisms. While RAD52 was initially considered to be a non-essential auxiliary factor, its inhibition has more recently been demonstrated to be synthetically lethal in cancer cells bearing mutations and inactivation of specific intracellular pathways, such as homologous recombination. RAD52 is now recognized as a novel and critical pharmacological target. In this review, we comprehensively describe the available structural and functional information on RAD52. The review highlights the pathways in which RAD52 is involved and the approaches to RAD52 inhibition. We discuss the multifaceted role of this protein, which has a complex, dynamic, and functional 3D superstructural arrangement. This complexity reinforces the need to further investigate and characterize RAD52 to solve a challenging mechanistic puzzle and pave the way for a robust drug discovery campaign.
Combinatorial characterization of supercompact cardinals

It is proved that supercompact cardinals can be characterized by combinatorial properties which are generalizations of ineffability. 0. Introduction. A A B is the symmetric difference of A and B. Greek letters will denote ordinals. Pk(A) is the set of all nonempty subsets of A of cardinality less than k. The cardinality of A is JAI. [A]' is the set of all subsets of A of cardinality m. An ultrafilter U on Pk(A) is normal if (a) U is k complete; (b) for every a e A {PIP E Pk(A), a e P} E U; (c) any choice function on Pk(A) is almost everywhere constant. The definition of supercompact cardinal is due to Solovay [6]. A cardinal k is A supercompact if there is a normal ultrafilter on Pk(A); k is supercompact if it is A supercompact for all A. R(a) is the set of all sets of rank <o. The purpose of this paper is to show that being a supercompact cardinal can be characterized by partition properties which are natural generalizations of those defining ineffable cardinal (JensenKunen [3]). By this we partially settle problem 4 of T. J. Jech [2]. We assume the reader knows the definition of closed subset of an ordinal, unbounded subset of an ordinal, and stationary set, as well as the basic properties of such sets (cf. Fodor [1]). A cardinal k is ineffable iff for any sequence {AX}a<k, such that A, a for all oc<k, there is Ack and {oa Io<k, Arl-=A,} is stationary in k. An equivalent definition is the following partition property: For any functionf: [k]2-*2 there is a homogeneous stationary set forf (that is, a stationary set A such that If"[A]2I= 1). An ineffable cardinal is weakly compact and therefore inaccessible. 1. Basic facts. A natural generalization of closed, unbounded and stationary sets are the following: A subset B of Pk(A) is unbounded if for any Q e Pk(A). there is P e B Received by the editors March 22, 1972. AMS (MOS) subject classiflcations (1970). Primary 02K35. 1 This is a part of the author's Ph.D. thesis done under the supervision of Professor A. Levy to whom the author is greatly indebted for his help and encouragement. American Mathematical Society 1974
Antimicrobial Nano-Zinc Oxide Biocomposites for Wound Healing Applications: A Review

Chronic wounds are a major concern for global health, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. As their occurrence is correlated with age and age-related comorbidities, their incidence in the population is set to increase in the forthcoming years. This burden is further worsened by the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which causes wound infections that are increasingly hard to treat with current antibiotics. Antimicrobial bionanocomposites are an emerging class of materials that combine the biocompatibility and tissue-mimicking properties of biomacromolecules with the antimicrobial activity of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles. Among these nanostructured agents, zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most promising for its microbicidal effects and its anti-inflammatory properties, and as a source of essential zinc ions. This review analyses the most recent developments in the field of nano-ZnO–bionanocomposite (nZnO-BNC) materials—mainly in the form of films, but also hydrogel or electrospun bandages—from the different preparation techniques to their properties and antibacterial and wound-healing performances. The effect of nanostructured ZnO on the mechanical, water and gas barrier, swelling, optical, thermal, water affinity, and drug-release properties are examined and linked to the preparation methods. Antimicrobial assays over a wide range of bacterial strains are extensively surveyed, and wound-healing studies are finally considered to provide a comprehensive assessment framework. While early results are promising, a systematic and standardised testing procedure for the comparison of antibacterial properties is still lacking, partly because of a not-yet fully understood antimicrobial mechanism. This work, therefore, allowed, on one hand, the determination of the best strategies for the design, engineering, and application of n-ZnO-BNC, and, on the other hand, the identification of the current challenges and opportunities for future research.
Association between angiotensinogen M235T gene polymorphism and risk of ischemic stroke among the Ethiopian population: a case control study

Abstract Ischemic stroke (IS) is a multifaceted, complicated illness resulting from a confluence of genetic, environmental and vascular risk factors. Many genes that may contribute to ischemic stroke have been discovered in humans. The genetic contribution appears to be greater in IS patients with hypertension. There is conflicting evidence about a positive correlation between the AGT M235T polymorphism and ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to examine the possible association of the AGT M235T gene polymorphism with the risk of ischemic stroke. A hospital-based case-control study was carried out in 36 ischemic stroke patient cases and 36 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Clinical parameters were measured to assess the associated risk factors. DNA was isolated from blood samples, and the AGT M235T genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The AGT-TT genotype (OR = 4.64, 95% CL = 1.23–17.4; p = 0.023 and T allele (OR = 2.54, 95% CL = 1.28–5.02; p = 0.003) were significantly more common in patients than in controls, indicating that it may be a major risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke. The results suggest that there may be a significant correlation between the AGT M235T gene polymorphism and the development of ischemic stroke in the studied Ethiopian population.
The Role of Dietary Antioxidants and Their Potential Mechanisms in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive decline and characterized by amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles. Although AD’s exact pathophysiology remains unclear, oxidative stress is known to play a role in the neurodegenerative process. Since no curative treatment exists, antioxidants represent a potential treatment for AD due to their ability to modulate oxidative stress. Therefore, this review aims to examine the impact of antioxidant supplementation and its potential mechanisms on cognitive function. The review primarily discusses research articles published between 2012 and 2022 reporting the results of clinical trials involving antioxidant supplementation on cognitive function in individuals with AD. Antioxidant supplementation included probiotics, selenium, melatonin, resveratrol, rosmarinic acid, carotenoids, curcumin, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q. While the studies included in this review did not provide much evidence for the beneficial role of antioxidant supplements on cognitive function in AD, the results varied from antioxidant to antioxidant and among trials examining the same antioxidant. Furthermore, many of the studies’ findings face several limitations, including short trial durations, small sample sizes, and a lack of diversity among study participants. As a result, more research is required to examine the impact of antioxidant supplementation on cognitive function in AD.
SGLT2 Inhibitor—Dapagliflozin Attenuates Diabetes-Induced Renal Injury by Regulating Inflammation through a CYP4A/20-HETE Signaling Mechanism

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a serious complication of diabetes, affecting millions of people worldwide. Inflammation and oxidative stress are key contributors to the development and progression of DKD, making them potential targets for therapeutic interventions. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have emerged as a promising class of drugs, with evidence demonstrating that they can improve renal outcomes in people with diabetes. However, the exact mechanism by which SGLT2i exert their renoprotective effects is not yet fully understood. This study demonstrates that dapagliflozin treatment attenuates renal injury observed in type 2 diabetic mice. This is evidenced by the reduction in renal hypertrophy and proteinuria. Furthermore, dapagliflozin decreases tubulointerstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis by mitigating the generation of reactive oxygen species and inflammation, which are activated through the production of CYP4A-induced 20-HETE. Our findings provide insights onto a novel mechanistic pathway by which SGLT2i exerts their renoprotective effects. Overall, and to our knowledge, the study provides critical insights into the pathophysiology of DKD and represents an important step towards improving outcomes for people with this devastating condition.
Emerging trends and hot spots in subacute thyroiditis research from 2001 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis

Background Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is the most prevalent self-limiting thyroid disease that causes pain, accounting for about 5% of all clinical thyroid disorders. Numerous clinically noteworthy results have been published in this area over the last 20 years. However, no article has comprehensively assessed the relevant literature yet. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of SAT to provide light on the dynamic nature of scientific advancement and aid researchers in gaining a global perspective while examining research core themes and hotspots. Methods SAT-related articles and reviews from 2001 to 2022 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index-Expanded of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). We analyzed current research trends and hotspots in this area using CiteSpace and Vosviewer. Results A total of 568 studies associated with SAT research were published in 282 academic journals by 2,473 authors in 900 institutions from 61 countries/regions. The United States was a crucial link in inter-country/region collaboration and was the most frequently involved country in international cooperation. The University of Missouri System was the top organization, and Braley-Mullen H. was the most productive researcher. Thyroid published the most papers, with 36 publications. The most co-cited article was “Clinical features and outcome of subacute thyroiditis in an incidence cohort: Olmsted County, Minnesota, study” (by Fatourechi V., 2003). The clustered network and timeline view of keywords showed that the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of SAT were the research core themes during the past 20 years. Analysis of keyword bursts indicated that the clinical characteristic and the influence of COVID-19 on SAT appeared to be the current research hotspots. Conclusion This bibliometric analysis conducted a thorough review of the SAT research. The clinical characteristics and the genetic background of SAT under the influence of COVID-19 are current research hotspots. However, there is still a need for further study and global collaboration. Our findings can aid researchers in understanding the current status of SAT research and immediately pinpoint new directions for further investigation.
Electrical triggering of metal-insulator transition in nanoscale vanadium oxide junctions

200 nm diameter Au contacts were fabricated by e-beam lithography on sputtered thin film vanadium oxide grown on conducting substrates and current perpendicular to plane electron transport measurements were performed with a conducting tip atomic force microscope. Sharp jumps in electric current were observed in the I-V characteristics of the nano-VO2 junctions and were attributed to the manifestation of the metal-insulator transition. The critical field and dielectric constant were estimated from quantitative analysis of the current-voltage relationship and compared with reported values on micrometer and larger size scale devices. These results are of potential relevance to novel oxide electronics utilizing metal-insulator transitions.
Coherent structure and heat transfer in geostrophic flow under density stratification

The mechanism of heat transport in geostrophic flows under various density stratifications has been studied by using both direct numerical simulation and rapid distortion theory. It is found that in cases with rotation, the iso-surfaces of the temperature fluctuations are aligned in the direction of the rotational axis, and they become very close to two-dimensional. Under stable stratification with rotation, the velocity and temperature fluctuations tend to oscillate with the Brunt–Vaisala frequency, while they tend to oscillate with a longer period in cases without rotation. Under unstable stratification with rotation, on the other hand, vortex columns are formed in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation owing to the effects of nonlinear interactions.
Promoting Healthy Behaviors Through an RPG Videogame: An Elaboration Likelihood Model Based Approach

Serious games, due to their massiveness, attractiveness, and enjoyment, are widely used for education, promoting healthy behaviors, and for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Serious game design includes tailored narratives, game mechanics, and art for their purpose. Nevertheless, using theories of attitude change to create a videogame to promote healthy behavior is less common. Following contemporary theories on persuasion, we developed and tested an RPG videogame for mobile phones, in which participants had to think in favor of the use of condoms through a series of tasks within the game in order to promote positive attitudes and consonant behavioral intention (BI). Results show a positive correlation between thoughts, attitudes, and BI, and that attitudes can partially mediate (account for) the association between thoughts and BI. In this exploratory study, we showed that 1) it was possible to include an Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)-based approach into a videogame; 2) consistent with previous studies, attitudes partially mediated the association between thoughts and condom use (BI) in a videogame environment; and 3) applications of this strategy can be considered in the game design process to build new serious games for prevention in health care.
The dynamics of a polar low assessed using potential vorticity inversion

The dynamics of a polar low are examined using a piecewise potential vorticity (PV) inversion method. In previous studies of this and other polar lows, structural evolution has been described in terms of regions of anomalous PV. In this study the relative importance of different PV anomalies and the interactions between them have been quantified using PV diagnostics. The intensification of the polar low occurred in three stages (in contrast to previous studies of polar lows that have only identified two stages). The dynamical characteristics of stages one and two are consistent with the proposed type C cyclogenesis mechanism. A diabatically‐generated lower‐tropospheric PV anomaly dominated intensification after initial triggering by a positive upper‐level PV anomaly. A phase tilt between the upper and lower levels was maintained through retardation of the positive upper‐level anomaly by the effects of latent heat release. Stage three was a period of growth dominated by wind‐induced surface heat exchange (WISHE), which contributed at least 18% to the amplitude of the mature surface polar low. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Integrin β3-Mediated Cell Senescence Associates with Gut Inflammation and Intestinal Degeneration in Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and personality changes that ultimately lead to dementia. Currently, 50 million people worldwide suffer from dementia related to AD, and the pathogenesis underlying AD pathology and cognitive decline is unknown. While AD is primarily a neurological disease of the brain, individuals with AD often experience intestinal disorders, and gut abnormalities have been implicated as a major risk factor in the development of AD and relevant dementia. However, the mechanisms that mediate gut injury and contribute to the vicious cycle between gut abnormalities and brain injury in AD remain unknown. In the present study, a bioinformatics analysis was performed on the proteomics data of variously aged AD mouse colon tissues. We found that levels of integrin β3 and β-galactosidase (β-gal), two markers of cellular senescence, increased with age in the colonic tissue of mice with AD. The advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based prediction of AD risk also demonstrated the association between integrin β3 and β-gal and AD phenotypes. Moreover, we showed that elevated integrin β3 levels were accompanied by senescence phenotypes and immune cell accumulation in AD mouse colonic tissue. Further, integrin β3 genetic downregulation abolished upregulated senescence markers and inflammatory responses in colonic epithelial cells in conditions associated with AD. We provide a new understanding of the molecular actions underpinning inflammatory responses during AD and suggest integrin β3 may function as novel target mediating gut abnormalities in this disease.
On-chip integration of optical microbottles for biosensing

In the last decades, coupling strategies of optical microresonators have been intensively explored to develop highly sensitive and label-free miniaturized biosensors. This work presents an innovative semi-automatic assembly approach for glass microbottles on a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) with single-mode waveguides. Microbottles are extraordinary whispering- gallery-mode structures with additional axial confinement of the light along the bottle shape. A high dense spectrum of resonances varying along the bottle curvature is typically observed. To excite these resonances, the evanescent field of waveguides is used, as it provides direct evanescent interaction, integration of multiple structures and mass production. Initial coupling tests in air yielded a Q factor of 104 at 1550 nm by employing an active alignment setup and a customized gripping tool. Lateral coupling tolerances of Δx = ±50 μm and Δy = ±2 μm for a bottle diameter of 180 μm were also found. An existing assembly machine including a visual system, alignment system, high precision glue dispenser and UV light was used for the identification, placement and fixation of microbottles. A highest Q factor of 105 was determined after the attachment of a microbottle. Similar results were obtained with bio-chemical modified samples. A laser cutting method was also applied for reducing the fiber length of the microbottle. In this way the hybrid PIC can be compatible with microfluidics. The dedicated assembly process is a promising tool to bring optical resonators into practical use for label-free biochemical sensing but also for other applications such as quantum sensing and communication.