Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incremental Benefit of Achieving Endoscopic and Histologic Remission in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Clinical remission, defined by a composite of patient reported outcomes and Mayo endoscopy subscore (MES) 0 or 1 is a recommended treatment target in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We estimated whether incorporating more rigorous remission definitions, of endoscopic remission (MES 0) and histologic remission, affects risk of relapse. METHODS Through a systematic review, we identified cohort studies in adults with UC in clinical remission that reported a minimum 12-month risk of clinical relapse, based on MES (0 vs 1) and/or histologic disease activity, in patients with endoscopic remission. Using random effects meta-analysis, we calculated relative and absolute risk of clinical relapse in patients with UC achieving different treatment targets. RESULTS In a meta-analysis of 17 studies that included 2608 patients with UC in clinical remission, compared to patients achieving MES 1, patients achieving MES 0 had a 52% lower risk of clinical relapse (relative risk, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.37-0.62). The median 12-month risk of clinical relapse in patients with MES 1 was 28.7%; the estimated annual risk of clinical relapse in patients with MES 0 was 13.7% (95% CI, 10.6-17.9). In a meta-analysis of 10 studies in patients in endoscopic remission (MES 0), patients who achieved histologic remission had a 63% lower risk of clinical relapse vs patients with persistent histologic activity (relative risk, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.24-0.56). Estimated annual risk of clinical relapse in who achieved achieving histologic remission was 5.0% (95% CI, 3.3-7.7). CONCLUSIONS In a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with UC in clinical remission, we observed that patients achieving more rigorous treatment endpoints (endoscopic and histologic remission) have a substantially lower risk of clinical relapse compared with patients achieving clinical remission.
Activation of transcription factor circuity in 2i-induced ground state pluripotency is independent of repressive global epigenetic landscapes

Abstract Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) cultured with MEK/ERK and GSK3β (2i) inhibitors transition to ground state pluripotency. Gene expression changes, redistribution of histone H3K27me3 profiles and global DNA hypomethylation are hallmarks of 2i exposure, but it is unclear whether epigenetic alterations are required to achieve and maintain ground state or occur as an outcome of 2i signal induced changes. Here we show that ESCs with three epitypes, WT, constitutively methylated, or hypomethylated, all undergo comparable morphological, protein expression and transcriptome changes independently of global alterations of DNA methylation levels or changes in H3K27me3 profiles. Dazl and Fkbp6 expression are induced by 2i in all three epitypes, despite exhibiting hypermethylated promoters in constitutively methylated ESCs. We identify a number of activated gene promoters that undergo 2i dependent loss of H3K27me3 in all three epitypes, however genetic and pharmaceutical inhibition experiments show that H3K27me3 is not required for their silencing in non-2i conditions. By separating and defining their contributions, our data suggest that repressive epigenetic systems play minor roles in mESC self-renewal and naïve ground state establishment by core sets of dominant pluripotency associated transcription factor networks, which operate independently from these epigenetic processes.
Do dominant group members have different emotional responses to observing dominant-on-dominant versus dominant-on-disadvantaged ostracism? Some evidence for heightened reactivity to potentially discriminatory ingroup behavior

The importance of social connection to well-being is underscored by individuals’ reactivity to events highlighting the potential for rejection and exclusion, which extends even to observing the social exclusion of others (“vicarious ostracism”). Because responses to vicarious ostracism depend at least in part on empathy with the target, and individuals tend to empathize less readily with outgroup than ingroup members, the question arises as to whether there is a boundary condition on vicarious ostracism effects whereby individuals are relatively immune to observing ingroup-on-outgroup ostracism. Of particular interest is the case where members of a dominant ethnic group observe fellow ingroup members ostracize a member of a disadvantaged ethnic minority group, as here there is a compelling potential alternative: Perceived violation of contemporary social norms condemning prejudice and discrimination might instead lead dominant group members to be especially upset by “dominant-on-disadvantaged” ostracism. Accordingly, the present research examines, across four studies and 4413 participants, individuals’ affective reactions to observing dominant-on-disadvantaged versus dominant-on-dominant ostracism. In each study, dominant group members (White/Europeans) observed dominant group members include or ostracize a fellow dominant group member or a disadvantaged ethnic minority group member (a Black individual) in an online Cyberball game. Results revealed that dominant group members felt more guilt, anger, and sadness after observing severe ostracism of a disadvantaged as opposed to dominant group member. Although no direct effects emerged on behavioral outcomes, exploratory analyses suggested that observing ostracism of a disadvantaged (versus dominant) group member had indirect effects on behavior via increased feelings of anger. These results suggest that observing ostracism may be a sufficiently potent and relatable experience that when it occurs across group boundaries it awakens individuals’ sensitivity to injustice and discrimination.
An Innovative Therapeutic Option for the Treatment of Skeletal Sarcomas: Elimination of Osteo- and Ewing’s Sarcoma Cells Using Physical Gas Plasma

Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma are the most common malignant bone tumors. Conventional therapies such as polychemotherapy, local surgery, and radiotherapy improve the clinical outcome for patients. However, they are accompanied by acute and chronic side effects that affect the quality of life of patients, motivating novel research lines on therapeutic options for the treatment of sarcomas. Previous experimental work with physical plasma operated at body temperature (cold atmospheric plasma, CAP) demonstrated anti-oncogenic effects on different cancer cell types. This study investigated the anti-cancer effect of CAP on two bone sarcoma entities, osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, which were represented by four cell lines (U2-OS, MNNG/HOS, A673, and RD-ES). A time-dependent anti-proliferative effect of CAP on all cell lines was observed. CAP-induced alterations in cell membrane functionality were detected by performing a fluorescein diacetate (FDA) release assay and an ATP release assay. Additionally, modifications of the cell membrane and modifications in the actin cytoskeleton composition were examined using fluorescence microscopy monitoring dextran-uptake assay and G-/F-actin distribution. Furthermore, the CAP-induced induction of apoptosis was determined by TUNEL and active caspases assays. The observations suggest that a single CAP treatment of bone sarcoma cells may have significant anti-oncogenic effects and thus may be a promising extension to existing applications.
Antioxidative Effects of Thymus quinquecostatus CELAK through Mitochondrial Biogenesis Improvement in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have reported that mitochondrial dysfunction is a leading cause of the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Mitochondrial changes play an important role in preventing oxidative stress. However, there is a lack of experimental evidence supporting this hypothesis. Thymus quinquecostatus CELAK (TQC) extract is a plant from China belonging to the thymus species, which can mediate the inflammatory response and prevent cell damage through its antioxidant activities. This study examines whether TQC can scavenge excess ROS originating from the mitochondria in RAW 264.7 macrophages. We used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation and oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 macrophages and performed an immunocytochemistry dot blot of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and real-time PCR to analyze the expression levels of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism. TQC was found to significantly reduce the intensity of immunostained MitoSOX and 8-OHdG levels in the total genomic DNA within the mitochondria in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The HO-1 and Nrf2 mRNA levels were also significantly increased in the TQC groups. Therefore, we verified that TQC improves mitochondrial function and attenuates oxidative stress induced by LPS. Our results can provide reference for the effect of TQC to develop new therapeutic strategies for various diseases.
Change of the physico-chemical indices and the oxidative enzymatic activities during the white grapes ripening.

The aim of this study was to follow up the evolution of both the physico-chemical indices and the dynamics of the oxidative enzymes during the maturation of white grapes, more particularly until the grapes reach technological maturity. Studying the dynamics of the physico-chemical indices during the maturation of the grapes an increase of the content of glucides, polyphenols, antiocyanins, simultaneously with the decrease of the acidity was noticed. The enzymatic activity of tyrosinase is high at the moment when the grapes are in the beginning of the ripening period and afterwards it presents a decline during the ripening of the grapes, having a relatively low level before harvesting. The enzymatic activity of the laccase increases up till the full maturity of the grapes, then it decreses a little before the harvesting of the fruit, having lower values than at the start of ripening. The enzymatic activity of the peroxidase increases up till the full maturity of the grapes, then it decreses a little before the harvesting of the fruit, having lower values than when it begins to ripen.
ETView VivaSight single lumen vs. conventional intubation in simulated studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective The ETView VivaSight single lumen airway tube (ETView) is a tracheal tube incorporating a video camera. We carried out a meta-analysis of previous simulation studies by inexperienced personnel to determine if the ETView could improve the success rate of first-attempt intubation. Methods We collected data from randomized controlled trials comparing the use of the ETView VivaSight single lumen versus a conventional endotracheal tube in a simulated manikin or cadaver study. Results Eleven studies (558 participants, 3,254 intubations, and 19 scenarios) were included. The ETView had a significantly higher success rate and shorter insertion time than conventional intubation in both normal airways (with or without chest compression) and in difficult airways. In addition, the ETView demonstrated better results in terms of a higher rate of Cormack−Lehane grade 1 and a lower incidence of dental trauma. Conclusions Inexperienced personnel can insert the ETView more rapidly and with a higher intubation success rate compared with a conventional tube.
Two New Species Of Ranitomeya (Anura: Dendrobatidae) From Eastern Amazonian Peru

We describe two new species of Ranitomeya (family Dendrobatidae), R. yavaricola sp. nov. and R. cyanovittata sp. nov., from Peru. Ranitomeya yavaricola sp. nov. is morphologically similar to certain other species of Ranitomeya (in particular R. flavovittata), but the new species can be easily distinguished from all other species of Ranitomeya based on its unique limb coloration: solid bronze without black markings. Despite having searched in numerous localities throughout this region, we have found the new species at only a single locality near the confluence of the Yavari and Yavari-Mirin rivers. Based on acoustic and molecular data, the new species is a member of the vanzolinii group, and is sister to the second new species, R. cyanovittata. Ranitomeya cyanovittata sp. nov. is only known from a single locality in the Sierra del Divisor in Amazonian Peru. This species can be easily distinguished from the other species of Ranitomeya by a unique coloration pattern that consists of just two colors: black background with blue lines or reticulations.
Empirically Derived Survival Rates of a Native Mussel, Amblema plicata, in the Mississippi and Otter Tail Rivers, Minnesota

Abstract We used a mark-recapture method to measure survival of a native unionid mussel, Amblema plicata, at sites with low, moderate and high zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) densities (mean values ± se equaled 0.4 ± 0.2, 50.5 ± 13 and 1750 ± 260 individuals/m2 respectively) in the Mississippi River, Minnesota, and at one site without D. polymorpha in the Otter Tail River, Minnesota. In 1996 240 A. plicata from each site were uniquely marked. In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 marked mussels were recovered; identified; survival determined; and, if alive, they were returned to the substratum. Mean annual survival differed significantly among sites (χ2 = 4.08, df 3, P < 0.0001). Mean annual survival rates in the Mississippi River's low infestation population (LOW) were 99 ± 0.3%, and 89 ± 1.2% in the moderately infested population (MOD), while survival at the highly infested population (HIH) was 65 ± 7.8%. Mean annual survival for the Otter Tail River population (REF) of A. plicata was 98 ± 0.5%. Results demonstrated that A. plicata has high mean annual survival (>97%) in natural habitats that are not colonized by D. polymorpha and the survival rates decline significantly relative to increases in D. polymorpha densities.
Resource partitioning along three niche dimensions in a size-structured tropical fish assemblage

In Tissawewa, a tropical reservoir, the size-specific resource use of the 10 most important fish species was determined along three dimensions: trophic, spatial, and temporal. During this study, a drought occurred distinguishing two periods before and after the drought that differed markedly in availability of resources and fish biomass. In this study, differences in resource use between the two periods are presented together with their consequence on the partitioning of resources. A different approach is introduced into the calculation of niche breadth and niche overlap incorporating size-specific differences in resource use and interactions between resource dimensions. Comparison with conventional measures of niche breadth and niche overlap shows that conventional measures often misrepresent interactions between species. Condition and biomass were used as indicators of a species' fitness, and it is shown that fitness of most species is governed by the availability of resources and partitioning of these resources is an important mechanism allowing potential competitors to coexist. Resource partitioning along the trophic dimension was more important than along the spatial or temporal dimension.
Diet Quality and Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers Risk: A Meta-Analysis and Critical Assessment of Evidence Quality

We aimed to assess the effect of a high-quality diet on the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer and to evaluate the overall quality of our findings by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and the references of related articles to February 2020. Two reviewers independently retrieved the data and performed the quality assessments. We defined the highest-quality diet as that with the lowest Diet Inflammatory Index category and the highest Mediterranean Diet Score category. Overall odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for upper gastrointestinal cancer risk comparing the highest- versus lowest-diet quality. A random-effects meta-analysis was then applied with Review Manager, and the quality of the overall findings was evaluated with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. The highest-quality diets were significantly associated with reduced risk of upper gastrointestinal cancers, achieving odds ratios of 0.59 (95% confidence interval: 0.48–0.72) for the Diet Inflammatory Index, pooling the findings from nine studies, and 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.88) for the Mediterranean Diet Score, pooling the findings from 11 studies. We observed a minimum of 69% heterogeneity in the pooled results. The pooled results were graded as low quality of evidence. Although it may be possible to offer evidence-based general dietary advice for the prevention of upper gastrointestinal cancers, the evidence is currently of insufficient quality to develop dietary recommendations.
Comparison between in vivo Force Recordings During Escape Responses and in vitro Contractile Capacities in the Sea Scallop Placopecten magellanicus

ABSTRACT During their escape response, scallops swim, using jet propulsion created by rhythmically opening and closing their valves. Valve closure is powered by the large adductor muscle that acts against the hinge ligament. We compared in vivo force production during escape responses and in vitro isometric contractions measured on fiber bundles from the sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus. The in vivo recordings quantify force development during tonic and phasic contractions and can assess clapping frequency. In vivo responses were measured at les Iles-de-la-Madéleine (QC, Canada) after which the animals were flown to Quebec City where we measured in vitro contractile properties of isolated adductor muscle at 5°C and 10°C. Interindividual differences in force production were positively correlated between in vivo and in vitro measurements. However, peak twitch force and peak tetanic force (N cm-2) of the isolated fiber bundles were lower than the maximum phasic force measured in vivo. This difference is likely to reflect damage to fiber bundles during isolation and the mechanical arrangement of the adductor muscle that leads the force measured at the edge of the valve during the acceleration of the upper valve to be greater than that measured near the muscle in vivo. Our comparison of in vitro and in vivo force production by the scallop adductor muscle underscores the advantages of our simple, minimally invasive, in vivo method for assessing the capacities of scallop muscle in natural situations.
A brief exposure to rightward prismatic adaptation changes resting-state network characteristics of the ventral attentional system

A brief session of rightward prismatic adaptation (R-PA) has been shown to alleviate neglect symptoms in patients with right hemispheric damage, very likely by switching hemispheric dominance of the ventral attentional network (VAN) from the right to the left and by changing task-related activity within the dorsal attentional network (DAN). We have investigated this very rapid change in functional organisation with a network approach by comparing resting-state connectivity before and after a brief exposure i) to R-PA (14 normal subjects; experimental condition) or ii) to plain glasses (12 normal subjects; control condition). A whole brain analysis (comprising 129 regions of interest) highlighted R-PA-induced changes within a bilateral, fronto-temporal network, which consisted of 13 nodes and 11 edges; all edges involved one of 4 frontal nodes, which were part of VAN. The analysis of network characteristics within VAN and DAN revealed a R-PA-induced decrease in connectivity strength between nodes and a decrease in local efficiency within VAN but not within DAN. These results indicate that the resting-state connectivity configuration of VAN is modulated by R-PA, possibly by decreasing its modularity.
Repetitive DNA, Genome and Species Relationships in Avena and Arrhenatherum (Poaceae)

Abstract Repetitive sequences have been widely used for examining genome and species relationships by in situ and Southern hybridization. In the present study, double-stranded DNA sequences, from denatured DNA reannealed to Cot = 1, from Avena strigosa (2 n = 2 x = 14; A genome; referred to as CotA) and Avena sativa (2 n = 6 x = 42; ACD genome; referred to as CotACD) were isolated with a hydroxyapatite column, and were used for in situ hybridization on hexaploid A. sativa chromosomes. Probe CotACD labelled all chromosomes evenly throughout their length at the same intensity. Probe CotA labelled the 28 A and D genome chromosomes strongly and the 14 C genome chromosomes weakly. Three cloned repetitive sequences, pAvKB9 (126 bp), pAvKB26 (223 bp) and pAvKB32 (721 bp) were characterized in the A, B, C and D Avena genomes and the genus Arrhenatherum using molecular and cytological methods. Clones pAvKB9 and pAvKB26 were absent from the Avena C genome, while both could identify the presence of the D genome by Southern hybridization. In situ hybridization to diploid and tetraploid Avena species revealed that the probes showed a dispersed genomic organization and that they are present on both arms of all chromosomes. These sequences were excluded from areas where tandem repeats, such as rRNA genes and telomeres, are present. These results indicate the close relationship between A and D genomes and the presence of common DNA sequences between A and C Avena genomes. All three clones hybridized to Southern blots containing Arrhenatherum digested genomic DNA, indicating Arrhenatherum ’s close affinity to A, B and D Avena genomes.
Prediction of Dust Storm Direction from Satellite Images by Utilized Deep Learning Neural Network

A dust storm is a bad weather phenomenon described by dust-filled air and strong winds across an extensive area. It is the most significant weather phenomenon in the Iraq region, which can cause massive damages both in natural environments and human lives. This work is aimed at predication dust storms direction from satellite images by using a convolutional neural network. The proposed method is different from most previous approaches, that in our method we utilized image processing to detect storm and find the moving direction of dust storm through prediction the minimal bounding rectangle of the dust storm and determine the orientation angle. The proposed method principles are depending on a series steps that employed desired algorithms to be able to predict dust storm direction, which are: Segmentation by used Feature Pyramid Network (FPN), Registration and Classification by used Region Proposal Networks Learning and location and Angle detection by used ground truth estimation algorithm. The proposed system has been testing by using real storm satellite images, in which the proposed method will detect storm from the first storm image and predict it is direction then compared with the real storm direction. FPN and ROI are used to recognized the storm area and then extracted the sand storm area. Next, the starts to identify the ground truth of the object to find both location and angle of direction. From the results, the proposed method successfully detects storm and predict its direction with good accuracy.