Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Special issue “The advance of solid tumor research in China”: Discoidin domain receptor 2 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition via activating AKT signaling

Tumor metastasis is one of the main reasons for the high mortality rate associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. Here, we reported that the expression of discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared to that in normal adjacent tissues. The expression level of DDR2 was negatively associated with prognosis of CRC patients. Therefore, DDR2 may play an oncogenic role in CRC development. Furthermore, DDR2 induced epithelial mesenchymal transition in CRC cells and regulated their invasive and metastatic capacity in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, increased DDR2 expression level activated the AKT/GSK‐3β/Slug signaling pathway. In conclusion, these findings showed that DDR2 promoted CRC metastasis and DDR2 inhibition might represent an effective therapeutic strategy for local advanced and metastatic CRC treatment.
CXCR4high megakaryocytes regulate host-defense immunity against bacterial pathogens

Megakaryocytes (MKs) continuously produce platelets to support hemostasis and form a niche for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance in the bone marrow. MKs are also involved in inflammatory responses; however, the mechanism remains poorly understood. Using single-cell sequencing, we identified a CXCR4 highly expressed MK subpopulation, which exhibited both MK-specific and immune characteristics. CXCR4high MKs interacted with myeloid cells to promote their migration and stimulate the bacterial phagocytosis of macrophages and neutrophils by producing TNFα and IL-6. CXCR4high MKs were also capable of phagocytosis, processing, and presenting antigens to activate T cells. Furthermore, CXCR4high MKs also egressed circulation and infiltrated into the spleen, liver, and lung upon bacterial infection. Ablation of MKs suppressed the innate immune response and T cell activation to impair the anti-bacterial effects in mice under the Listeria monocytogenes challenge. Using hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell lineage-tracing mouse lines, we show that CXCR4high MKs were generated from infection-induced emergency megakaryopoiesis in response to bacterial infection. Overall, we identify the CXCR4high MKs, which regulate host-defense immune response against bacterial infection.
Examining the Efficacy of Bright Light Therapy on Cognitive Function in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivors

Patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) may experience cognitive impairment that can persist after treatment. Several studies have shown that bright light therapy may improve cognition, potentially due to its effects on the circadian system via brain regions that respond preferentially to light. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of bright light therapy on cognition was examined in HSCT survivors. Forty-seven HSCT survivors at an urban hospital in the United States were screened for mild cognitive impairment, randomized to either bright white light (BWL) or comparison dim red light (DRL) conditions using a block randomization approach, and instructed to use their assigned light box every morning upon awakening for 30 min for 4 weeks. Assessments occurred at baseline, the end of the second week of the intervention, the end of the intervention, and at follow-up (8 weeks later). The primary outcome was objective cognitive function as measured by a global composite score on neuropsychological tests. Secondary outcomes included cognitive performance in individual domains, self-reported cognitive function, fatigue, sleep and sleep quality, and circadian rhythm robustness. Repeated-measures linear mixed models for both objective and self-reported cognitive function indicated significant main effects for time (ps < 0.05) suggesting significant improvements in both conditions over time. Time by light condition interaction effects were not significant. Models focused on secondary outcomes yielded no significant effects. Both BWL and DRL groups demonstrated significant improvements in objective cognitive and self-reported cognitive function over time, but there was no hypothesized effect of BWL over DRL nor associations with circadian rhythm robustness. Therapeutic effects of both light conditions, practice effects, and/or placebo effects may account for the findings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02677987 (9 February 2016)
Premenstrual syndrome severity in Turkey: a meta-analysis study

ABSTRACT The aim of this research is to determine the severity of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in Turkey through meta-analysis by examining articles that scan for PMS with Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). In this study 25 primary studies, published between January 2012-June 2021 were examined. In these studies, attention was paid to use the same measurement tool to make a common estimation. The measurement tool used in the studies to diagnose PMS was the PMSS, which is frequently used in Turkey. Evaluations were made regarding the scores in the PMSS total and sub-domains. At the end of the meta-analysis of PMS, which is an important women’s health problem in Turkey as well as throughout the world, it was identified that women living in Turkey experienced PMS at moderate severity. However, it was not overlooked that the scores in the sub-domains of PMSS were high. Moderate PMS negatively affects women’s social and work lives. Knowing the PMS severity of women in a society may be important to understand and correctly evaluate women in the premenstrual period. It is thought that positive results will be received by raising awareness in women about this important health problem and conducting remedial studies.
Providing Care Beyond Therapy Sessions With a Natural Language Processing–Based Recommender System That Identifies Cancer Patients Who Experience Psychosocial Challenges and Provides Self-care Support: Pilot Study

Background The negative psychosocial impacts of cancer diagnoses and treatments are well documented. Virtual care has become an essential mode of care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and online support groups (OSGs) have been shown to improve accessibility to psychosocial and supportive care. de Souza Institute offers CancerChatCanada, a therapist-led OSG service where sessions are monitored by an artificial intelligence–based co-facilitator (AICF). The AICF is equipped with a recommender system that uses natural language processing to tailor online resources to patients according to their psychosocial needs. Objective We aimed to outline the development protocol and evaluate the AICF on its precision and recall in recommending resources to cancer OSG members. Methods Human input informed the design and evaluation of the AICF on its ability to (1) appropriately identify keywords indicating a psychosocial concern and (2) recommend the most appropriate online resource to the OSG member expressing each concern. Three rounds of human evaluation and algorithm improvement were performed iteratively. Results We evaluated 7190 outputs and achieved a precision of 0.797, a recall of 0.981, and an F1 score of 0.880 by the third round of evaluation. Resources were recommended to 48 patients, and 25 (52%) accessed at least one resource. Of those who accessed the resources, 19 (75%) found them useful. Conclusions The preliminary findings suggest that the AICF can help provide tailored support for cancer OSG members with high precision, recall, and satisfaction. The AICF has undergone rigorous human evaluation, and the results provide much-needed evidence, while outlining potential strengths and weaknesses for future applications in supportive care.
Gamma radiation on seeds of natal grass [Melinis repens (Willd.) Zizka] induced plant’s morphological and nutritional variability

Induced mutagenesis through gamma radiation generates structural and chemical changes in plants. This study evaluated the morphological and nutritional variability of natal grass [Melinis repens (Willd.) Zizka] plants produced from seed irradiated with gamma radiation. Natal grass seed was collected from wild populations in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. The seed was exposed to a source of Co60. The radiation doses were: 0, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 Gray (Gy). Sixty-six first generation mutant genotypes (M1), produced from irradiated seed, and nine non-mutant genotypes (M0), developed from non-irradiated seed (0 Gy), were evaluated. For the morphological characterization, 18 variables were measured on the plants when they were at the reproductive stage. The nutritional analysis was performed on the M0, as well as on a group of plants from the M1, which resulted morphologically different (p <0.005) from the rest. The differenced M1 plants were classified as promising mutant genotypes (M1p). Results showed that variability was induced in the M1p. These individuals presented morphological differences in leaf weight-tillering weight ratio and foliage height, compared to the rest of the plants (p <0.001). The M1p 250–10 genotype presented the highest (p <0.001) crude protein and the lowest (p <0.001) lignin contents. Gamma radiation in the seed of natal grass induced morphological and nutritional variability. With that, promising mutant genotypes, with desirable morphological and nutritional attributes, were identified.
Sex Differences in Serotonin 5-HT 1A Receptor Responses to Repeated Restraint Stress in Adult Male and Female Rats

Abstract Background Male and female rats were exposed to repeated restraint to determine how changes in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) 1A receptors associate with stress hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis habituation. Methods In response to 2-hour episodes of restraint, repeated daily for 5 consecutive days, males and females displayed reliable declines in HPA output, indicated by diminished adrenocorticotropin and corticosterone secretory responses. Using the 5-HT 1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) as a pharmacological challenge for inducing hypothermia and elevations in plasma corticosterone, males displayed sensitized hypothermal responses after repeated restraint, whereas corticosterone responses to 8-OH-DPAT were enhanced in both sexes following single or repeated exposure. Results Only males showed elevations in 5-HT 1A receptor G-protein coupling responses in the dorsal raphe after repeated restraint, whereas only females showed an increase in 5-HT 1A receptor responses in the hippocampus following single or repeated exposure. G-protein coupling responses within both regions correlated positively with 5-HT 1A receptor binding capacity. Thus, despite expressing similar capacities for stress HPA axis habituation, males and females emerged from repeated restraint to show region-specific changes in 5-HT 1A receptor function that may be explained, at least in part, by changes in receptor availability. Conclusions Based on the hypothermal and corticosteroid responses to 8-OH-DPAT, the present data suggest that stress habituation is met by an increase in the sensitivity of presynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors in males and by an increase in the sensitivity of a population of postsynaptic receptors in both sexes.
Phylogeny and taxonomy of Erysiphe spp. on Rhododendron, with a special emphasis on North American species

ABSTRACT The genus Rhododendron comprises over 1000 evergreen and deciduous species. In the Pacific Northwest Coast region of North America (PNWC), powdery mildews infecting deciduous Rhododendron spp. are well documented but less so on evergreen Rhododendron spp. Infections of both groups of hosts historically have been attributed to Erysiphe azaleae or E. vaccinii. No formal characterizations of powdery mildew fungi infecting either deciduous or evergreen Rhododendron spp. in the PNWC have been completed. The objectives of this study were to identify the powdery mildew pathogens infecting evergreen Rhododendron spp. in the PNWC and to assess the phylogenetic position of these fungi within the Erysiphaceae. To ascertain valid taxonomic conclusions, and to determine whether potential introductions of exotic Rhododendron powdery mildews in North America have occurred, it was necessary to put the new North American phylogenetic data into a worldwide context. Therefore, available phylogenetic data from all Erysiphe spp. on Rhododendron have been included in our analyses. Based on analyses of numerous new internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S rDNA sequences and already available sequences deposited in GenBank retrieved from evergreen and deciduous Rhododendron spp. , the following Erysiphe spp. could be phylogenetically confirmed (all belonging to Erysiphe sect. Microsphaera): Erysiphe azaleae nom. cons. (Oidium ericinum could be verified as a synonym), E. digitata (holotype sequenced), E. izuensis, and E. vaccinii. Erysiphe azaleae and E. vaccinii are epitypified with sequenced specimens, and an ex-neotype sequence has been obtained for Oidium ericinum. Erysiphe rhododendri (Erysiphe sect. Erysiphe), only known from two collections in India (Himalayan region), was not available for phylogentic analyses.
The accretion-heated crust of the transiently accreting 11-Hz X-ray pulsar in the globular cluster Terzan 5

We report on a Chandra Director’s Discretionary Time observation of the globular cluster Terzan 5, carried out ∼7 weeks after the cessation of the 2010 outburst of the newly discovered transiently accreting 11-Hz X-ray pulsar. We detect a thermal spectrum that can be fitted with a neutron star atmosphere model with a temperature for an observer at infinity of kT∞∼ 100 eV and a quiescent thermal bolometric luminosity of Lq∼ 2 × 1033 erg s−1 for an assumed distance of 5.5 kpc. The thermal emission is elevated above the quiescent base level measured in 2003 and 2009, i.e. prior to the recent accretion outburst. A likely explanation is that the neutron star crust was significantly heated during the recent accretion episode and needs to cool until it restores thermal equilibrium with the core. Although this has been observed for neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries that undergo accretion episodes of years to decades, it is the first time that evidence for crustal heating is detected for a transient system with a regular outburst duration of weeks. This opens up a new window to study heating and cooling of transiently accreting neutron stars.
Dilemmas when talking about Huntington's disease: A qualitative study of offspring and caregiver experiences in Norway

Research provides a compelling list of reasons why offspring should be included in honest conversations about disease when the disease affects their caregivers. Despite this, we lack in‐depth knowledge about how families affected by the severe and complex genetic condition Huntington's disease (HD) experience talking about the many aspects of how this disease affects their lives. This study aimed to provide an in‐depth exploration of how offspring with a caregiver with HD and caregivers with a partner with HD experienced talking about disease throughout childhood. Thematic analysis was conducted with semistructured interviews of both caregivers (n = 14) and offspring (n = 36) from families affected by HD, reflecting both current and past experiences. In addition to highlighting the many needs offspring have for knowledge and conversation about the disease with their caregivers, our findings also show that a variety of dilemmas can follow these conversations, including when to talk, what to say, how often HD should be talked about on a day‐to‐day basis, and whether to share disease‐related information with others outside the family. The findings show the complexity of talking with offspring about HD. A difficult task for both offspring and caregivers seemed to be finding out how to balance the many dilemmas that arise in conversations and how to use dialogue to best help offspring adapt and cope with the many challenges that can come with HD. The findings can assist health care professionals, such as genetic counselors, prepare, and guide families affected by HD in the many and complex conversations that arise about the disease, in turn helping offspring adjust and cope with their current lives or future lives affected by HD.
Multisensory stimuli enhance the effectiveness of equivalence learning in healthy children and adolescents

It has been demonstrated earlier in healthy adult volunteers that visually and multisensory (audiovisual) guided equivalence learning are similarly effective. Thus, these processes seem to be independent of stimulus modality. The question arises as to whether this phenomenon can be observed also healthy children and adolescents. To assess this, visual and audiovisual equivalence learning was tested in 157 healthy participants younger than 18 years of age, in both a visual and an audiovisual paradigm consisting of acquisition, retrieval and generalization phases. Performance during the acquisition phase (building of associations), was significantly better in the multisensory paradigm, but there was no difference between the reaction times (RTs). Performance during the retrieval phase (where the previously learned associations are tested) was also significantly better in the multisensory paradigm, and RTs were significantly shorter. On the other hand, transfer (generalization) performance (where hitherto not learned but predictable associations are tested) was not significantly enhanced in the multisensory paradigm, while RTs were somewhat shorter. Linear regression analysis revealed that all the studied psychophysical parameters in both paradigms showed significant correlation with the age of the participants. Audiovisual stimulation enhanced acquisition and retrieval as compared to visual stimulation only, regardless of whether the subjects were above or below 12 years of age. Our results demonstrate that multisensory stimuli significantly enhance association learning and retrieval in the context of sensory guided equivalence learning in healthy children and adolescents. However, the audiovisual gain was significantly higher in the cohort below 12 years of age, which suggests that audiovisually guided equivalence learning is still in development in childhood.
Viraemic-time predicts mortality among people living with HIV on second-line antiretroviral treatment in Myanmar: A retrospective cohort study

Introduction Despite HIV viral load (VL) monitoring being serial, most studies use a cross-sectional design to evaluate the virological status of a cohort. The objective of our study was to use a simplified approach to calculate viraemic-time: the proportion of follow-up time with unsuppressed VL above the limit of detection. We estimated risk factors for higher viraemic-time and whether viraemic-time predicted mortality in a second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) cohort in Myanmar. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who received second-line ART for a period >6 months and who had at least two HIV VL test results between 01 January 2014 and 30 April 2018. Fractional logistic regression assessed risk factors for having higher viraemic-time and Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the association between viraemic-time and mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to illustrate survival probability for different viraemic-time categories. Results Among 1,352 participants, 815 (60.3%) never experienced viraemia, and 172 (12.7%), 214 (15.8%), and 80 (5.9%) participants were viraemic <20%, 20–49%, and 50–79% of their total follow-up time, respectively. Few (71; 5.3%) participants were ≥80% of their total follow-up time viraemic. The odds for having higher viraemic-time were higher among people with a history of injecting drug use (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.30–3.10, p = 0.002), sex workers (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.11–4.00, p = 0.02) and patients treated with lopinavir/ritonavir (vs. atazanavir; aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.12–2.10, p = 0.008). Viraemic-time was strongly associated with mortality hazard among those with 50–79% and ≥80% viraemic-time (aHR 2.92, 95% CI 1.21–7.10, p = 0.02 and aHR 2.71, 95% CI 1.22–6.01, p = 0.01). This association was not observed in those with viraemic-time <50%. Conclusions Key populations were at risk for having a higher viraemic-time on second-line ART. Viraemic-time predicts clinical outcomes. Differentiated services should target subgroups at risk for a higher viraemic-time to control both HIV transmission and mortality.
Early-onset neonatal sepsis in the Paris area: a population-based surveillance study from 2019 to 2021

Background Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) is a rare condition but an important cause of severe morbidity and mortality in neonates. Methods This is a prospective observational study in neonates born at ≥34 weeks of gestation (WG). The primary endpoint was EOS, defined by isolation of pathogenic species from blood culture and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture within 72 hours after birth. Data on EOS were collected exhaustively from all maternity wards in Paris area (April 2019–March 2021). Results 108 EOS were recorded (annual incidence, 0.32 per 1000 live births; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.38). In term infants, the most frequent pathogens were group B Streptococcus (GBS) (n=47) and Escherichia coli (n=20); in late preterm infants, the most frequent pathogens were E. coli (n=15) and GBS (n=7). Fifteen meningitis cases were diagnosed. Five E. coli strains (14%) were resistant to both amoxicillin and gentamicin, which is an empiric treatment for EOS. Of the 54 infants with GBS infections, 35 were born from mothers with negative GBS prepartum screening test and 8 from mothers with no screening. Two deaths were reported, both in term infants (Proteus mirabilis and E. coli). Conclusion In neonates ≥34 WG born in the Paris area, GBS was twice as frequent as E. coli in term infants. EOS was six times more frequent in late preterm than in term infants and was due to E. coli in 60% of cases. Prevention of GBS EOS and empiric antibiotic treatment of EOS could be improved. This population surveillance study of infants ≥34 weeks' gestation reports the incidence of early-onset sepsis, causative organisms and antibiotic susceptibilities. Details of maternal Group B Streptococcus screening status and prophylactic treatment are provided.
Patterns of care and outcomes of early stage I–II Hodgkin lymphoma treated with or without radiation therapy

Abstract Omission of radiotherapy in the upfront management of early-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) has become more common with time. We report patterns of care and outcomes of stage I–II cHL treated with chemotherapy (CT) only versus CT and radiotherapy (combined modality therapy, CMT). From the National Cancer Database, we identified 28,327 early-stage cHL patients treated with CT (n = 15,798) or CMT (n = 12,529) from 2004 to 2018. CMT utilization declined over the period from 58% to 34%. With median follow-up of 6.2 years, the 5- and 10-year overall survival for CT versus CMT was 93.3% versus 96.9% (p < 0.001) and 88.7% versus 93.5% (p < 0.001), respectively. On multivariable analysis, uninsured (OR 0.75, p < 0.001) and Black patients (OR 0.86, p = 0.02) were less likely to receive CMT, and treatment with CT was predictive of death (OR 2.0, p < 0.001). This report highlights real-world outcomes in early-stage cHL, with worse survival with CT and notable disparities in CMT utilization.