Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metformin and bladder cancer: Drug repurposing as a potential tool for novel therapy: A review

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common type of cancer worldwide. Currently, the gold standard treatment is transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-Bt) accompanied by intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) instillation for patients with middle-to-high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, intravesical BCG therapy fails in almost 50% of high risk cases, leading to NMIBC persistence or early recurrence. In these patients, the gold standard remains radical cystectomy; however, it can seriously affect the patients’ quality of life. Moreover, for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), the 5-year survival rate after radical cystectomy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy remains low. Recent discoveries have paved the way for a new era in BC treatment. Metformin is the most widely used oral hypoglycemic drug in clinical practice, being mostly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that metformin exerts a potentially positive effect on reducing the incidence and mortality of cancer; therefore, a increasing number of studies have investigated the potential anticancer effects of metformin and its mechanisms of action. This review aims to summarize the evidence for the role of metformin in bladder cancer therapy, including how metformin mediates bladder cancer cell apoptosis.
A retrospective analysis for criteria of surgical intervention in Japanese Black calves with respiratory signs caused by perinatal rib fracture

Medical records of 16 Japanese Black calves with respiratory signs associated with perinatal rib fracture were analyzed, retrospectively, to speculate criteria of surgical intervention for the disease. For this analysis, the severity of respiratory condition was classified into three grades: Grade 1, with no wheezing, Grade 2, with wheezing after excitement but not at rest and Grade 3, with wheezing at rest. Grade 1 (n=3) received only conservative management. Seven of Grade 2 (n=8) and all of Grade 3 (n=5) had surgical management. Clinical outcome was good in all of Grade 1, and the surgical success rate was 83% in other groups. Our result suggests that surgical intervention should be considered for cases with more the severity of Grade 2.
Observational signatures of near-extremal Kerr-like black holes in a modified gravity theory at the Event Horizon Telescope

We study the shadows cast by near-extremal Kerr-MOG black holes for different values of the parameter in modified gravity (MOG). In particular, we consider an isotropic emitter orbiting near such black holes and analytically compute the positions, fluxes and redshift factors of their images. The size of the shadow decreases when the modified parameter is increased. For each shadow, the images of the emitter appear on a special part of the shadow which has a rich structure. The primary image and secondary images are similar to those produced for the near-extremal (high spin) Kerr black hole, but the near-extremal Kerr-MOG black hole can have a spin ($\hat{J}/M^2_{\alpha}$) which is finitely lower than 1. When the modified parameter is varied, the typical positions of the corresponding images do not change, nor does the typical redshift factor associated with the primary image. However, another typical redshift factor associated with the secondary image increases when the modified parameter is increased. We also find that the fluxes increase in that case. These images appear periodically with period greater than that of Kerr. This provides an alternative signature away from the Kerr case which may be tested by the Event Horizon Telescope.
Laboratory markers at admission to predict the presence of totally occluded culprit artery in NSTEMI

A significant proportion of patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have a totally occluded culprit artery (OCA). If these patients do not meet very high-risk criteria, they may be deprived of an immediate invasive strategy. Therefore, there is a need for markers that can predict OCA in patients with NSTEMI. A total of 357 consecutive patients with NSTEMI but without very high-risk criteria were included in this retrospective study. Two groups were formed: NSTEMI with OCA (n = 106) and NSTEMI with patent culprit artery (PCA) (n = 251). Complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemical parameters obtained immediately at admission were compared between the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to predict the presence of OCA was performed for the parameters that were significantly different between the groups, and an area under the curve (AUC) > 0.7 was considered to suggest acceptable discrimination. Neutrophil count [8.13 (2.82‐27.88) × 103/µL vs 5.59 (1.85‐19.71) × 103/µL, P < . 001] and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level [45 (12‐405) U/L vs 25 (5‐143) U/L, P < . 001] were significantly higher in patients with OCA. The AUC was 0.750 for neutrophil count and 0.731 for AST level. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) of elevated neutrophil and/or AST levels for the presence of OCA were 77.4%, 70.1%, 52.2%, and 88.0%, respectively. More strikingly, the specificity was 95.2% in the presence of both neutrophil and AST elevation. Elevated neutrophil and/or AST levels at admission were strongly associated with the presence of OCA in patients with NSTEMI.
Fast radio bursts and cosmological tests

We consider future cosmological tests based on observations of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). We use Illustris Simulation to realistically estimate the scatter in the dispersion measure (DM) of FRBs caused by the inhomogeneous distribution of ionized gas in the Intergalactic Medium (IGM). We find ~13% scatter in DM to a source at z=1 and ~7% at z=3 (one sigma). The distribution of DM is close to Gaussian. We simulate samples of FRBs and examine their applicability to simple cosmological tests. Our calculations show that using a sample of 100 FRBs and fixing cosmological model one can find the redshift and sample averaged fraction of ionized gas with ~1% uncertainty. Finding the ionized fraction with ~1% accuracy at few different epochs would require ~10 000 FRBs with known redshifts. Because DM is proportional to the product of ionized fraction, baryon density and the Hubble constant it is impossible to constrain these parameters separately with FRBs. Constraints on cosmological densities are possible in a flat LCDM model but give uninterestingly low accuracy. Using FRBs with other type of data improves the constraints, but the role of FRBs is not crucial. Thus constraints on the distribution of ionized gas are probably the most promising application of FRBs which allow for "tomography" if sources redshifts are known, as opposed to measuring electron scattering optical depth or S-Z y parameters with CMB observations.
Safety and immunogenicity of V114, a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, in children with SCD: a V114-023 (PNEU-SICKLE) study

Key Points • V114, a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, was evaluated for safety and immunogenicity in children with sickle cell disease. • V114 had a safety profile comparable to that of PCV13 and demonstrated immunogenicity against all 15 serotypes after a single vaccination.
Acetate supplementation restores cognitive deficits caused by ARID1A haploinsufficiency in excitatory neurons

Mutations in AT‐rich interactive domain‐containing protein 1A (ARID1A) cause Coffin‐Siris syndrome (CSS), a rare genetic disorder that results in mild to severe intellectual disabilities. However, the biological role of ARID1A in the brain remains unclear. In this study, we report that the haploinsufficiency of ARID1A in excitatory neurons causes cognitive impairment and defects in hippocampal synaptic transmission and dendritic morphology in mice. Similarly, human embryonic stem cell‐derived excitatory neurons with deleted ARID1A exhibit fewer dendritic branches and spines, and abnormal electrophysiological activity. Importantly, supplementation of acetate, an epigenetic metabolite, can ameliorate the morphological and electrophysiological deficits observed in mice with Arid1a haploinsufficiency, as well as in ARID1A‐null human excitatory neurons. Mechanistically, transcriptomic and ChIP‐seq analyses demonstrate that acetate supplementation can increase the levels of H3K27 acetylation at the promoters of key regulatory genes associated with neural development and synaptic transmission. Collectively, these findings support the essential roles of ARID1A in the excitatory neurons and cognition and suggest that acetate supplementation could be a potential therapeutic intervention for CSS.
The role of physical activity in the regulation of body weight: The overlooked contribution of light physical activity and sedentary behaviors

The role of physical activity (PA) in the regulation of body weight is still a major topic of debate. This may be because studies have essentially focused on the effects of moderate/vigorous PA (MVPA) on body weight while overlooking the other components of PA, namely, light‐intensity PA (LPA, daily life activities) and sedentary behaviors (SB, too much sitting). In this review, we will (i) describe the history of changes in PA behaviors that occurred with modernization; (ii) review data from cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies that examined the associations between PA, SB, and measures of obesity; (iii) review interventional studies that investigated the effects of changes in PA and SB on body weight and adiposity; and (iv) discuss experimental studies that addressed potential biological mechanisms underlying the effects of PA and SB on weight regulation. Overall recent findings support the importance of considering all components of PA to better understand the regulation of energy balance and suggest an important role for LPA and SB in addition to MVPA on body weight regulation. Longitudinal large‐scale rigorous studies are needed to advance our knowledge of the role of PA/SB in combating the obesity epidemic.
Confusion noise estimate for gravitational wave measurements in space

LISA’s sensitivity for studying gravitational waves is expected to be confusion noise limited from roughly 0.1–3 mHz due to unresolvable signals from very many close binaries throughout the Galaxy. The most important contributors to the confusion noise appear to be close white dwarf binaries. However, there are additional binary systems that we have not considered before. These include systems of helium-rich secondaries in semidetached binaries with CO white dwarf primaries. Observational astronomers refer to these systems as AM CVn binaries. The theory of close binary evolution suggests at least two different scenarios that lead to the AM CVn stage. We will discuss both scenarios and will show that their inclusion probably will lead to only a small increase in the confusion noise.
Orbital Clustering in the Distant Solar System

The most distant Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) appear to be clustered in longitude of perihelion and in orbital pole position. To date, the only two suggestions for the cause of these apparent clusterings have been either the effects of observational bias or the existence of a distant giant planet in an eccentric inclined orbit known as Planet Nine. To determine if observational bias can be the cause of these apparent clusterings, we develop a rigorous method of quantifying the observational biases in the observations of longitude of perihelion and orbital pole position. From this now more complete understanding of the biases, we calculate that the probability that these distant KBOs would be clustered as strongly as observed in both longitude of perihelion and in orbital pole position is only 0.2%. While explanations other than Planet Nine may someday be found, the statistical significance of this clustering is now difficult to discount.
Healthcare system engagement and algorithm‐identified cancer incidence following initiation of a new medication

Implausibly high algorithm‐identified cancer incidence within a new user study after medication initiation may result from increased healthcare utilization (HU) around initiation (“catch‐up care”) that increases diagnostic opportunity. Understanding the relationships between HU prior to and around initiation and subsequent cancer rates and timing is important to avoiding protopathic bias.
Ab initio electromagnetic observables with the in-medium similarity renormalization group

We present the formalism for consistently transforming transition operators within the in-medium similarity renormalization group framework. We implement the operator transformation in both the equations-of-motion and valence-space variants, and present first results for electromagnetic transitions and moments in medium-mass nuclei using consistently-evolved operators, including the induced two-body parts. These results are compared to experimental values, and--where possible--the results of no-core shell model calculations using the same input chiral interaction. We find good agreement between the equations-of-motion and valence space approaches. Magnetic dipole observables are generally in reasonable agreement with experiment, while the more collective electric quadrupole and octupole observables are significantly underpredicted, often by over an order of magnitude, indicating missing physics at the present level of truncation.
Boundary conditions in first order gravity: Hamiltonian and ensemble

In this work two different boundary conditions for first order gravity, corresponding to a null and a negative cosmological constant, respectively, are studied. Both boundary conditions allow one to obtain the standard black hole thermodynamics. Furthermore, both boundary conditions define a canonical ensemble. Additionally the quasilocal energy definition is obtained for the null cosmological constant case.
Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of peristomal skin lesions by remote imaging: An expert validation study

Abstract Background Prevention and treatment of peristomal skin problems should be a priority for nurses caring for ostomates, even when the assessment of lesions must be done remotely. Objective To measure the level of agreement on assessment, diagnosis and care indications for peristomal skin lesions using remote imaging among nurses in Spain. Design Prospective observational multicentre study to assess the diagnostic validity and inter‐ and intraobserver agreement between nurses in peristomal skin lesions. Data were collected between March and October 2019. Settings and Participants The research sample consisted of a group of 39 nurses with expertise in the care of ostomates. Methods A panel of experts established a list of 24 common signs/findings, 15 diagnostic options and 35 treatment approaches for peristomal skin lesions. Three expert stoma therapy nurses compiled the clinical cases, which they described thoroughly and documented with photographs. The 39 participating nurses evaluated the cases in two rounds to measure inter and intraobserver agreement. Results A high or very high level of agreement (κ > 0.61) was observed for the following signs: encrustation, nodules, mucocutaneous separation and varicose veins; for the following diagnoses: mucocutaneous dehiscence, allergic contact dermatitis, encrustation and varicose veins (caput medusae); for the following treatments: recommending a diet rich in vitamin C/blueberries, applying acetic acid dressings, applying cold and topical tacrolimus treatment. Conclusions The most easily identifiable lesions were those most prevalent and with visible signs. There was a lower level of agreement in identifying lesions for which photographs required additional information (laboratory data, description of signs and symptoms, type of diet and level of self‐care). It is important to train nurses caring for ostomates to correctly describe ostomy‐related lesions, which is important for nursing records, continuity of care and telehealth care.
Three-dimensional evaluation of the effects of Bionator and Forsus appliances on oropharyngeal airway volume in patients with mandibular retrognathia

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate whether there is a difference between the effects of Bionator and Forsus appliances on airway volume. Methods Forty patients with mandibular retrognathia were divided into two groups. The Bionator appliance was applied to Group 1, while the Forsus FRD EZ2 appliance was applied to Group 2. Three-dimensional images were captured before and after functional appliance use in both groups. Dolphin 3D software was used for airway measurements. Results No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of volumetric and area measurements. There was a statistically significant difference between the minimum axial T and O-N border T measurements of the groups. Conclusion The use of functional appliances may contribute to an increase in oropharyngeal airway dimensions, but there was no difference between the Bionator and Forsus groups in terms of volumetric measurements.
Optical Properties of Deep Ice at the South Pole - Absorption

We discuss recent measurements of the wavelength-dependent absorption coefficients in deep South Pole ice. The method uses transit time distributions of pulses from a variable-frequency laser sent between emitters and receivers embedded in the ice. At depths of 800 to 1000 m scattering is dominated by residual air bubbles, whereas absorption occurs both in ice itself and in insoluble impurities. The absorption coefficient increases approximately exponentially with wavelength in the measured interval 410 to 610 nm. At the shortest wavelength our value is about a factor 20 below previous values obtained for laboratory ice and lake ice; with increasing wavelength the discrepancy with previous measurements decreases. At around 415 to 500 nm the experimental uncertainties are small enough for us to resolve an extrinsic contribution to absorption in ice: submicron dust particles contribute by an amount that increases with depth and corresponds well with the expected increase seen near the Last Glacial Maximum in Vostok and Dome C ice cores. The laser pulse method allows remote mapping of gross structure in dust concentration as a function of depth in glacial ice.
MC2: Subaru and Hubble Space Telescope Weak-lensing Analysis of the Double Radio Relic Galaxy Cluster PLCK G287.0+32.9

The second most significant detection of the Planck Sunyaev−Zel’dovich survey, PLCK G287.0+32.9 (z = 0.385), boasts two similarly bright radio relics and a radio halo. One radio relic is located NW of the X-ray peak and the other Mpc to the SE. This large difference suggests that a complex merging scenario is required. A key missing puzzle for the merging scenario reconstruction is the underlying dark matter distribution in high resolution. We present a joint Subaru Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope weak-lensing analysis of the cluster. Our analysis shows that the mass distribution features four significant substructures. Of the substructures, a primary cluster of mass dominates the weak-lensing signal. This cluster is likely to be undergoing a merger with one (or more) subcluster whose mass is approximately a factor of 10 lower. One candidate is the subcluster of mass located to the SE. The location of this subcluster suggests that its interaction with the primary cluster could be the source of the NW radio relic. Another subcluster is detected Mpc to the SE of the X-ray peak with mass . This SE subcluster is in the vicinity of the SE radio relic and may have created the SE radio relic during a past merger with the primary cluster. The fourth subcluster, , is NW of the X-ray peak and beyond the NW radio relic.
Neuropsychiatric aspects of long COVID: A comprehensive review

Although some patients have persistent symptoms or develop new symptoms following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection, neuropsychiatric aspects of long COVID are not well known. This review summarizes and provides an update on the neuropsychiatric dimensions of long COVID. Its neuropsychiatric manifestations commonly include fatigue, cognitive impairment, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress disorder. There are no specific tests for long COVID, but some characteristic findings such as hypometabolism on positron emission tomography have been reported. The possible mechanisms of long COVID include inflammation, ischemic effects, direct viral invasion, and social and environmental changes. Some patient characteristics and the severity and complications of acute COVID‐19 infection may be associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Long COVID may resolve spontaneously or persist, depending on the type of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Although established treatments are lacking, various psychological and pharmacological treatments have been attempted. Vaccination against COVID‐19 infection plays a key role in the prevention of long coronavirus disease. With differences among the SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, including the omicron variant, the aspects of long COVID are likely to change in the future. Further studies clarifying the aspects of long COVID to develop effective treatments are warranted.
The Lyman-α forest as a diagnostic of the nature of the dark matter

The observed Lyman-α flux power spectrum (FPS) is suppressed on scales below ${\sim} ~ 30\, {\rm km\, s}^{-1}$. This cut-off could be due to the high temperature, T0, and pressure, p0, of the absorbing gas or, alternatively, it could reflect the free streaming of dark matter particles in the early universe. We perform a set of very high resolution cosmological hydrodynamic simulations in which we vary T0, p0, and the amplitude of the dark matter free streaming, and compare the FPS of mock spectra to the data. We show that the location of the dark matter free-streaming cut-off scales differently with redshift than the cut-off produced by thermal effects and is more pronounced at higher redshift. We, therefore, focus on a comparison to the observed FPS at z > 5. We demonstrate that the FPS cut-off can be fit assuming cold dark matter, but it can be equally well fit assuming that the dark matter consists of ∼7 keV sterile neutrinos in which case the cut-off is due primarily to the dark matter free streaming.
Coexistence of high content of critical nutrients and claims in food products targeted at Brazilian children.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate food labels targeted at children and identify the concomitant presence of claims and high levels of critical nutrients and/or the presence of sweeteners. As a secondary objective, it aimed to list different types of claims and check which marketing strategies are most used. METHODS We collected 409 products, from 8 popular food groups targeted at children, in Brazilian market (i.e., fruit drinks, dairy drinks, sandwich cookies, cakes, breakfast cereals, jellies, corn snacks, and yogurts). The contents of critical nutrients (e.g., sugar, total fat, saturated fat, and trans-fat, and sodium) and presence/absence of sweetener were calculated, considering Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) parameters. Then, we verified the presence and types of claims in these products. RESULTS Overall, 265 (64.7%) labels presented claims. In three of the eight categories (i.e., breakfast cereals, dairy drinks, and yogurt), all products with claims (50, 34, and 34 products, respectively) had one or more nutrients in harmful concentrations (critical nutrients above PAHO's nutritional profile and/or presence of sweeteners). In the other categories, only one product (of 63 sandwich cookies and 26 breakfast cereals with claims) and three products (of 22 cakes and 28 jellies with claims) had no nutrient in critical concentration. The presence of claims, like "rich/source" of micronutrient, was predominant in seven of the eight food groups. CONCLUSION In the present study, there was a high presence of claims, of different types, in foods targeted at children, which, for the most part, also have excess of at least one critical nutrient, according to PAHO.