Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of PTEN Gene SNPs rs2299939 With PFS in Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Early Radiotherapy

Lung cancer has higher morbidity and mortality than most cancers. It is common that there are some phenomenons of secondary drug resistance, radiotherapy resistance and poor prognosis during the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Recent studies revealed that the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the curative effect among patients with the same pathological type and stage. Our study analyzed the start time of radiotherapy and the relationship between PTEN gene rs2299939 polymorphisms and survival time among 116 SCLC patients. The results showed that early radiotherapy significantly improved the time of survival in patients compared with late radiotherapy (P = 0.029). Simultaneously, the study found that patients with the rs2299939 AA genotype showed significant sensitivity to both early and late radiotherapy, but early radiotherapy is better. The median survival time of CC genotype patients was 12 months in the early radiotherapy group while it was 9 months in the late radiotherapy group, thus recommending early radiotherapy among these patients. In addition, it was found that rs2299939 could regulate the expression of related genes in peripheral blood and lung tissues by eQTL analysis. This study revealed that the early radiotherapy could prolong the PFS of SCLC and shall be performed in SCLC treatment.
GABAergic Input From the Basal Forebrain Promotes the Survival of Adult-Born Neurons in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb

A unique feature of the olfactory system is the continuous generation and integration of new neurons throughout adulthood. Adult-born neuron survival and integration is dependent on activity and sensory experience, which is largely mediated by early synaptic inputs that adult-born neurons receive upon entering the olfactory bulb (OB). As in early postnatal development, the first synaptic inputs onto adult-born neurons are GABAergic. However, the specific sources of early synaptic GABA and the influence of specific inputs on adult-born neuron development are poorly understood. Here, we use retrograde and anterograde viral tracing to reveal robust GABAergic projections from the basal forebrain horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca (HDB) to the granule cell layer (GCL) and glomerular layer (GL) of the mouse OB. Whole-cell electrophysiological recordings indicate that these projections target interneurons in the GCL and GL, including adult-born granule cells (abGCs). Recordings from birth-dated abGCs reveal a developmental time course in which HDB GABAergic input onto abGCs emerges as the neurons first enter the OB, and strengthens throughout the critical period of abGC development. Finally, we show that removing GABAergic signaling from HDB neurons results in decreased abGC survival. Together these data show that GABAergic projections from the HDB synapse onto immature abGCs in the OB to promote their survival through the critical period, thus representing a source of long-range input modulating plasticity in the adult OB.
Clinical Characteristics of Hospitalized Covid-19 Patients in New York City

ABSTRACT Background: The coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is a global public health crisis, with over 1.6 million cases and 95,000 deaths worldwide. Data are needed regarding the clinical course of hospitalized patients, particularly in the United States. Methods Demographic, clinical, and outcomes data for patients admitted to five Mount Sinai Health System hospitals with confirmed Covid-19 between February 27 and April 2, 2020 were identified through institutional electronic health records. We conducted a descriptive study of patients who had in-hospital mortality or were discharged alive. Results A total of 2,199 patients with Covid-19 were hospitalized during the study period. As of April 2nd, 1,121 (51%) patients remained hospitalized, and 1,078 (49%) completed their hospital course. Of the latter, the overall mortality was 29%, and 36% required intensive care. The median age was 65 years overall and 75 years in those who died. Pre-existing conditions were present in 65% of those who died and 46% of those discharged. In those who died, the admission median lymphocyte percentage was 11.7%, D-dimer was 2.4 ug/ml, C-reactive protein was 162 mg/L, and procalcitonin was 0.44 ng/mL. In those discharged, the admission median lymphocyte percentage was 16.6%, D-dimer was 0.93 ug/ml, C-reactive protein was 79 mg/L, and procalcitonin was 0.09 ng/mL. Conclusions This is the largest and most diverse case series of hospitalized patients with Covid-19 in the United States to date. Requirement of intensive care and mortality were high. Patients who died typically had pre-existing conditions and severe perturbations in inflammatory markers.
How best to use limited tests? Improving COVID-19 surveillance in long-term care

Background: Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are particularly vulnerable to nosocomial outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with high rates of transmission and mortality. Timely epidemiological surveillance is essential to detect and respond to outbreaks, but testing resources are highly limited in the current pandemic context. Methods: We used an individual-based transmission model to simulate COVID-19 spread along inter-individual contact networks in the LTCF setting. A range of surveillance strategies were evaluated for their ability to detect simulated outbreaks, assuming limited availability of standard RT-PCR tests. Various epidemiological scenarios were considered, including COVID-19 importation from patient transfers or staff members infected in the community. Findings: We estimated a median delay of 7 (95% uncertainty interval: 2-15) days from importation of an asymptomatic COVID-19-infected patient to first presentation of COVID-19 symptoms among any patients or staff, at which point an additional 7 (0-25) individuals were infected but did not (yet) show symptoms. Across a range of scenarios, the reference surveillance strategy (testing individuals with COVID-like symptoms with signs of severity) took a median 11-21 days to detect an outbreak. Group testing (pooling specimens from multiple individuals for a single RT-PCR test) patients and staff with any COVID-like symptoms was both the most timely and efficient strategy, detecting outbreaks up to twice as quickly as the reference, and more quickly than other considered strategies while using fewer tests. Maximizing use of available tests via testing cascades was more effective than group testing only when substantial testing resources were available (on the order of 1 test/20 beds/day). Including not merely those with symptoms but also newly admitted patients in group tests and testing cascades reduced delays in outbreak detection for LTCFs actively admitting patients potentially already infected with COVID-19. Interpretation: Improving COVID-19 surveillance can alert healthcare institutions to emerging outbreaks before they escalate, informing a need for urgent public health intervention in settings with ongoing nosocomial transmission.
Social decision making is influenced by size of shoal but not personality or familiarity in Deccan Mahseer (Tor khudree)

Shoals formed by many piscine species are fission-fusion societies where decisions to leave or join a group can have consequences on the fitness of individuals. Some important factors that determine shoal choice are shoal size, familiarity and species composition. However, individuals and species often exhibit distinct shoaling preferences. Individual differences in shoaling preferences may also be related to personality traits such as boldness and sociability. In this study, we examined the link between shoaling decisions and personality traits in a hatchery reared population of an endangered megafish, the Deccan Mahseer (Tor khudree). We found that this fish exhibits a distinct preference for larger shoals at ratios of 1:2 or greater. However, they did not prefer to associate with an isolated familiar individual over unfamiliar ones or with a member of their own species over an invasive species. Moreover, shoaling preferences in individuals did not correlate with their boldness or sociability. These results suggest that hatchery reared mahseers which are reintroduced into natural habitats may shoal with invasive species, negatively affecting their viability. Modifying social behaviour of mahseers by amending rearing practices may be a useful strategy to improve outcomes of restocking interventions.
A Clinician and Service User’s Perspective on Managing MS: Pleasure, Purpose, Practice

There is a growing body of evidence that points to an important role for modification of lifestyle factors and promotion of health-related quality of life in the secondary prevention of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (D’Hooghe et al., 2010; Weiland et al., 2014; Hadgkiss et al., 2015). As a clinical psychologist diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012 I have gained a unique insight into ways in which people living with MS and clinicians can usefully integrate evidence-based lifestyle modifications that enhance self-efficacy and self-management to improve wider psychological and physical health. The framework presented here enables clinicians to engage in salutogenic health promotion by placing value upon the importance of healthy, evidence-based behavior change. Furthermore, the framework provides a structure which can empower and provide guidance for people living with MS on what and how to implement and sustain behavior change and emotional wellbeing in the face of this life-changing diagnosis.
Soil Phosphorus Fractionation as Affected by Paper Mill Biosolids Applied to Soils of Contrasting Properties

Industrial by-products such as paper mill biosolids (PBs) have been used as fertilizers and amendments in agriculture for many decades. However, their content of plant essential nutrients including phosphorus (P) varies largely with sources, and availability of these nutrients once applied to soil still remains unknown. Five PBs differing in their C/N ratio (12–47) were used in an incubation study to assess the P forms and availability from both PBs and PB-amended soils. Biosolids were added to three contrasting soils varying in texture and pH in 500-ml jars at the rate of 50 Mg wet ha–1, supplying between 45 and 112 kg total P ha–1. An unfertilized control and a mineral NP treatment (30 kg P ha–1) were also included. Biosolids and soil P fractions were determined by a modified Hedley fractionation method following 2 and 16 weeks of incubation. Phosphorus forms in PBs varied across type of materials with labile P ranging from 20 to 72% and organic P (Po) ranging from 28 to 66% of total P. Soil incubated with PB showed changes in all P fractions due to amendment, soil type, and duration of incubation. Resin-P and labile P, the most available forms, were significantly higher with addition of high PB–P content. Soil labile P represented up to 50% of total P added by PB. Overall, most inorganic P (Pi) fractions and labile P further increased with incubation duration. Close relationships were established between resin-P and labile P content in PB and the increases of those fractions in incubated soils, notably after 2 weeks. The P recovery as labile P represented on average 34% of total P added or 68% in terms of mineral P. We concluded that PB could be used as an efficient source of P for fertilizing crops.
Association of Educational Attainment With Adiposity, Type 2 Diabetes, and Coronary Artery Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Background: Observational studies showed that educational attainment (EA) is associated with cardiometabolic diseases, but the long interval between exposure and outcome makes it difficult to infer causality. We herein used Mendelian randomization (MR) to examine the causal effects of EA on adiposity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A two-sample MR analysis was conducted using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. Seventy-four instrumental variables (IVs) were used to determine the causal effect of EA on cardiometabolic diseases. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to detect the pleiotropy of the IVs. Results: Using the MR approach, we found that each additional year in EA is associated with a reduction in the body mass index (BMI) (β −0.17 [95% CI −0.23, −0.10], P = 8.85 × 10−7), a 39% reduction in the odds of having T2D (OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.50, 0.75], P = 1.16 × 10−6), and a 36% reduction in the odds of having CAD (OR 0.64 [95% CI 0.55, 0.75], P = 2.38 × 10−8) at the Bonferroni-adjusted level of significance. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a causal role of EA on the cardiometabolic diseases including adiposity, T2D, and CAD.
Insensitivity to Success and Failure: An Experimental Study of Performance-Based Feedback in Depression

Objective This experimental study set out to examine the effects of performance feedback (success or failure) on depressed emotions and self-serving attribution bias in inpatients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods The study was based on a 2 × 2 experimental design in which 71 MDD patients and 59 healthy controls participated. Both groups (MDD and controls) were randomly assigned to two conditions: success or failure in the performance feedback. A section of Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) was used as a bogus test of the participants’ reasoning abilities, and the Core Depressive Factor of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was used to measure changes in depressed emotion in the subjects following the performance feedback. Participants then rated the accuracy of the SPM as a measure of their reasoning capacity. Results The levels of depressed emotions in patients with MDD did not differ significantly under the two feedback conditions. In contrast, depressed emotion levels increased significantly in healthy individuals in response to failure feedback but did not change in response to success feedback. With regard to the ratings of SPM accuracy, there was no significant difference across the two feedback conditions for depressed patients; however, the accuracy ratings were higher in the success condition than in the failure condition for the controls. Conclusion Individuals with MDD exhibit blunted emotional reactivity when experiencing new positive or negative social stimuli, supporting the theory of Emotion Context Insensitivity. In addition, self-serving attribution bias does not occur in MDD, which is consistent with the theory of learned helplessness in depression.
Unexpected sounds non-selectively inhibit active visual stimulus representations

The brain’s capacity to process unexpected events is key to cognitive flexibility. The most well-known effect of unexpected events is the interruption of attentional engagement (distraction). We tested whether unexpected events interrupt attentional representations by activating a neural mechanism for inhibitory control. This mechanism is most well-characterized within the motor system. However, recent work showed that it is automatically activated by unexpected events and can explain some of their non-motor effects (e.g., on working memory representations). Here, human participants attended to lateralized flickering visual stimuli, producing steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) in the scalp-electroencephalogram. After unexpected sounds, the SSVEP was rapidly suppressed. Using a functional localizer (stop-signal) task and independent component analysis, we then identified a fronto-central EEG source whose activity indexes inhibitory motor control. Unexpected sounds in the SSVEP task also activated this source. Using single-trial analyses, we found that sub-components of this source differentially relate to sound-related SSVEP changes: while its N2 component predicted the subsequent suppression of the attended-stimulus SSVEP, the P3 component predicted the suppression of the SSVEP to the unattended stimulus. These results shed new light on the processes underlying fronto-central control signals and have implications for phenomena such as distraction and the attentional blink.
Criteria of Existence for a q Fractional p-Laplacian Boundary Value Problem

This paper is devoted to establishing some criteria for the existence of non-trivial solutions for a class of fractional q-difference equations involving the p-Laplace operator, which is nowadays known as Lyapunov's inequality. The method employed for it is based on a construction of a Green's function and its maximum value. Parallel to this result, it is worth mentioning that the Hartman-Wintner inequality for the q-fractional p-Laplace boundary value problem is also provided. It covers all previous results known in the literature on the fractional case as well as that on the classical ordinary case. The non-existence of non-trivial solutions to the q-difference fractional p-Laplace equation subject to the Riemann-Liouville mixed boundary conditions will obey such integral inequalities. The tools mainly rely on an integral form of the solution construction of a Green function corresponding to the considered problem and its properties as well as its maximum value in consideration where the kernel is the Green's function. The example that we consider here for applying this result is an eigenvalue fractional problem. To be more specific, we provide an interval where an appropriate Mittag-Leffler function to the given eigenvalue fractional boundary problem has no real zeros. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 34A08, 34A40, 26D10, 33E12
Genetic Architecture of Maize Rind Strength Revealed by the Analysis of Divergently Selected Populations

Stalk lodging, breakage of the stalk at or below the ear, causes substantial yield losses in maize. The strength of the stalk rind, commonly measured as rind penetrometer resistance (RPR), is an important contributor to stalk lodging resistance. To enhance RPR genetic architecture, we conducted selection mapping on populations developed by 15 cycles of divergent selection for high (C15-H) and low (C15-L) RPR. We also performed time-course transcriptome and metabolic analyses on developing stalks of high (Hrpr1) and low (Lrpr1) RPR inbred lines derived from the C15-H and C15-L populations, respectively. Divergent selection significantly altered allele frequencies at 3,656 and 3,412 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the C15-H and C15-L populations, respectively. While the majority of the SNPs under selection were unique, 110 SNPs were common in both populations indicating the fixation of alleles with alternative effects. Remarkably, preferential selection on the genomic regions associated with lignin and polysaccharide biosynthesis genes was observed in C15-H and C15-L populations, respectively. This observation was supported by higher lignification and lower extractability of cell wall-bound sugars in Hrpr1 compared to Lrpr1. Tricin, a monolignol important for incorporation of lignin in grass cell walls, emerged as a key determinant of the different cell wall properties of Hrpr1 and Lrpr1. Integration of selection mapping with transcriptomics and previous genetic studies on RPR identified 40 novel candidate genes including ZmMYB31, ZmNAC25, ZmMADS1, two PAL paralogues, two lichenases, ZmEXPA2, ZmIAA41, and Caleosin. Enhanced mechanistic and genetic understanding of RPR provides a foundation for improved stalk lodging resistance.
Deep Active Inference and Scene Construction

Adaptive agents must act in intrinsically uncertain environments with complex latent structure. Here, we elaborate a model of visual foraging – in a hierarchical context – wherein agents infer a higher-order visual pattern (a ‘scene’) by sequentially sampling ambiguous cues. Inspired by previous models of scene construction – that cast perception and action as consequences of approximate Bayesian inference – we use active inference to simulate decisions of agents categorizing a scene in a hierarchically-structured setting. Under active inference, agents develop probabilistic beliefs about their environment, while actively sampling it to maximise the evidence for their internal generative model. This approximate evidence maximization (i.e. self-evidencing) comprises drives to both maximise rewards and resolve uncertainty about hidden states. This is realised via minimization of a free energy functional of posterior beliefs about both the world as well as the actions used to sample or perturb it, corresponding to perception and action, respectively. We show that active inference, in the context of hierarchical scene construction, gives rise to many empirical evidence accumulation phenomena, such as noise-sensitive reaction times and epistemic saccades. We explain these behaviours in terms of the principled drives that constitute the expected free energy, the key quantity for evaluating policies under active inference. In addition, we report novel behaviours exhibited by these active inference agents that furnish new predictions for research on evidence accumulation and perceptual decision-making. We discuss the implications of this hierarchical active inference scheme for tasks that require planned sequences of information-gathering actions to infer compositional latent structure (such as visual scene construction and sentence comprehension). Finally, we propose experiments to contextualise active inference in relation to other formulations of evidence accumulation (e.g. drift-diffusion models) in tasks that require planning in uncertain environments with higher-order structure.
DPPH-Scavenging and Antimicrobial Activities of Asteraceae Medicinal Plants on Uropathogenic Bacteria

Asteraceae species were widely applied in traditional medicines in Asia countries as sources of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to evaluate DPPH-scavenging capacities and antimicrobial activities of nine Asteraceae species collected from Southern Vietnam. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were determined by standard protocols. Essential oils from Ageratum conyzoides, Helianthus annuus, Artemisia vulgaris indicated significant inhibitory effects on Staphyloccocus aureus and Candida spp. Crude extracts and fractions from Taraxacum officinale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ageratum conyzoides, Tagetes erecta showed inhibitory ability on at least one testing bacterial strains including S. aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Study on clinical isolates, ethyl acetate fraction from A. conyzoides displayed the most potent effect on uropathogenic E. coli and K. pneumoniae with MIC at 1.25-10 mg/ml and 5-12.5 mg/ml, respectively. DPPH scavenging assay indicated that Tagetes erecta extract had the lowest IC50 (17.280 μg/ml) and 2.5 times higher than vitamin C (7.321 μg/ml). This study revealed that A. conyzoides has good potential against uropathogenic E. coli and K. pneumoniae, and could, therefore, apply to prophylactic urinary tract infection.