Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Method to Eliminate the Influence of Frequency-Modulating-Induced Auxiliary Amplitude Modulation on the Calibration of 3 × 3 Coupler Asymmetric Parameters

The 3 × 3 demodulation algorithm has been widely used in retrieving the phase information in the optical fiber sensing system, while the asymmetry of the 3 × 3 coupler can introduce some distortions. In this situation, the parameters of the 3 × 3 coupler can be calibrated by the ellipse fitting method to remove the distortions. Conducting a frequency modulation on the laser, together with an unbalanced Michelson interferometer, makes the ellipse fitting method implemented, which is more appropriate for all-optical sensing. Unexpectedly, the auxiliary amplitude modulation of the laser induced by the frequency modulation is inevitable, leading to the deterioration of the calibration. In this paper, the influence of the auxiliary amplitude modulation on the calibration of the asymmetric parameters is analyzed theoretically and verified experimentally, on the basis of which a convenient but highly efficient method for acquiring the output of the laser and removing related items from the interferometric signals is put forward. The feasibility and robustness of the proposed solution is tested experimentally, and the results show that the mean square errors of the fittings and the variation coefficients of the calibrated parameter sequences are at the scale of 10−5 and 10−4, respectively, indicating that the method performs very well.
Safety profile of biologic drugs for psoriasis in clinical practice: An Italian prospective pharmacovigilance study

Psoriasis is an inflammatory and chronic skin disorder associated with physical and psychological burden impairing patients’ quality of life. In the last decade, biologic drugs have widely changed treatment of moderate-severe psoriasis and their number is increasing overtime. To early identify expected/unexpected adverse events (AEs) with biologic treatments, pharmacovigilance programs are needed. We designed a post-marketing active pharmacovigilance program to monitor and analyse AEs and/or serious adverse events (SAEs) reports. All consecutive patients treated with one biologic drug during a two-years period and satisfying inclusion criteria have been enrolled in five Dermatology tertiary units. Demographic and clinical features of patients, type of treatment used, therapy discontinuation, failures, switch/swap to another biologic, and possible onset of AEs were collected. Overall, 512 patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis (286; 55.9%) or arthropathic psoriasis (226; 44.1%) have been enrolled. Eighty-two (16%) patients with AEs and 5 (1%) with SAEs have been identified. Further, 59 (11.5%) had a primary/secondary failure (mainly on infliximab and etanercept). The adverse events and SAEs were reported with golimumab (4/12), adalimumab (32/167), infliximab (9/48), etanercept (31/175) and ustekinumab (11/73), no adverse events have occurred with secukinumab (0/37). Infliximab and etanercept were significantly associated with primary/secondary failures, whereas no differences have been highlighted for AEs insurgence. On the other hand, ustekinumab seems to be associated with a low rate of AEs (p = 0.01) and no adverse events or failures have been reported with secukinumab (p = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). Our study, even though limited by a small sample size and a brief follow-up period, provide useful data on widely used biologic drugs and their tolerability, discontinuation rate and the incurrence of severe adverse events. Further studies are necessary to include the recently approved biologic drugs and to increase the sample size for more detailed analysis.
The neural basis of shared preference learning

During our daily lives, we often learn about the similarity of the traits and preferences of others to our own and use that information during our social interactions. However, it is unclear how the brain represents similarity between the self and others. One possible mechanism is to track similarity to oneself regardless of the identity of the other (Similarity account); an alternative is to track each confederate in terms of consistency of the similarity to the self, with respect to the choices they have made before (consistency account). Our study combined fMRI and computational modelling of reinforcement learning (RL) to investigate the neural processes that underlie learning about preference similarity. Participants chose which of two pieces of artwork they preferred and saw the choices of one confederate who usually shared their preference and another who usually did not. We modelled neural activation with RL models based on the similarity and consistency accounts. Data showed more brain regions whose activity pattern fits with the consistency account, specifically, areas linked to reward and social cognition. Our findings suggest that impressions of other people can be calculated in a person-specific manner which assumes that each individual behaves consistently with their past choices.
The lncRNA MEG3/miR‐16‐5p/VGLL4 regulatory axis is involved in etoposide‐induced senescence of tumor cells

The senescence of tumor cells is an important tumor suppressor mechanism. The present study aimed to investigate the role of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) MEG3 (maternally expressed gene 3) in the senescence process of tumor cells and its potential molecular mechanism by competitively binding with microRNA miR‐16‐5p to regulate the expression of VGLL4 (encoding vestigial like family member 4).
Characterization of the Polysialylation Status in Ovaries of the Salmonid Fish Coregonus maraena and the Percid Fish Sander lucioperca

In vertebrates, the carbohydrate polymer polysialic acid (polySia) is especially well known for its essential role during neuronal development, regulating the migration and proliferation of neural precursor cells, for instance. Nevertheless, sialic acid polymers seem to be regulatory elements in other physiological systems, such as the reproductive tract. Interestingly, trout fish eggs have polySia, but we know little of its cellular distribution and role during oogenesis. Therefore, we localized α2,8-linked N-acetylneuraminic acid polymers in the ovaries of Coregonus maraena by immunohistochemistry and found that prevalent clusters of oogonia showed polySia signals on their surfaces. Remarkably, the genome of this salmonid fish contains two st8sia2 genes and one st8sia4 gene, that is, three polysialyltransferases. The expression analysis revealed that for st8sia2-r2, 60 times more mRNA was present than st8sia2-r1 and st8sia4. To compare polysialylation status regarding various polySiaT configurations, we performed a comparable analysis in Sander lucioperca. The genome of this perciform fish contains only one st8sia2 and no st8sia4 gene. Here, too, clusters of oogonia showed polysialylated cell surfaces, and we detected high mRNA values for st8sia2. These results suggest that in teleosts, polySia is involved in the cellular processes of oogonia during oogenesis.
Sex-Dependent Molecular Mechanisms of Lipotoxic Injury in Brain Microvasculature: Implications for Dementia

Cardiovascular risk factors and biologic sex play a role in vascular dementia which is characterized by progressive reduction in cognitive function and memory. Yet, we lack understanding about the role sex plays in the molecular mechanisms whereby lipid stress contributes to cognitive decline. Five-week-old low-density lipoprotein deficient (LDL-R −/−) male and female mice and C57BL/6J wild types (WT) were fed a control or Western Diet for 8 weeks. Differential expression of protein coding and non-protein coding genes (DEG) were determined in laser captured hippocampal microvessels using genome-wide microarray, followed by bioinformatic analysis of gene networks, pathways, transcription factors and sex/gender-based analysis (SGBA). Cognitive function was assessed by Y-maze. Bioinformatic analysis revealed more DEGs in females (2412) compared to males (1972). Hierarchical clusters revealed distinctly different sex-specific gene expression profiles irrespective of diet and genotype. There were also fewer and different biologic responses in males compared to females, as well as different cellular pathways and gene networks (favoring greater neuroprotection in females), together with sex-specific transcription factors and non-protein coding RNAs. Hyperlipidemic stress also resulted in less severe cognitive dysfunction in females. This sex-specific pattern of differential hippocampal microvascular RNA expression might provide therapeutic targets for dementia in males and females.
HRV-Based Training for Improving VO2max in Endurance Athletes. A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

This review aimed to synthesize evidence regarding interventions based on heart rate variability (HRV)-guided training for VO2max improvements in endurance athletes and address the issues that impact this performance enhancement. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, the Web of Science Core Collection, Global Health, Current Contents Connect, and the SciELO citation index were searched. Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled trials; studies with trained athletes enrolled in any regular endurance training; studies that recruited men, women, and both sexes combined; studies on endurance training controlled by HRV; studies that measured performance with VO2max. A random-effects meta-analysis calculating the effect size (ES) was used. Moderator analyses (according to the athlete’s level and gender) and metaregression (according to the number of participants in each group) were undertaken to examine differences in ES. HRV-guided training and control training enhanced the athletes’ VO2max (p < 0.0001), but the ES for the HRV-guided training group was significantly higher (p < 0.0001; ESHRVG-CG = 0.187). The amateur level and female subgroup reported better and significant results (p < 0.0001) for VO2max. HRV-guided training had a small (ES = 0.402) but positive effect on endurance athlete performance (VO2max), conditioned by the athlete’s level and sex.
Association between serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cognitive dysfunction after acute ischemic stroke: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to explore the association between serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and cognitive dysfunction risk in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This cross-sectional study enrolled 583 AIS patients. Biochemical markers and lipid profile were collected after admission. AIS patients were classified into high group (non-HDL-C ≥3.4 mM) and normal group (non-HDL-C <3.4 mM). Mini-Mental State Examination scale (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Hamilton Depression scale 21 version (HAMD-21) were applied on the third day after admission. Compared with the control group, patients of the high group had higher body mass index and higher frequency of intracranial artery stenosis, and exhibited higher levels of non-HDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, homocysteine, fasting blood glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, patients of the high group had significantly lower MMSE and MoCA scores (MMSE: 26.01±4.17 vs 23.12±4.73, P<0.001; MoCA: 22.28±5.28 vs 20.25±5.87, P<0.001) and higher scores on the NPI and HAMD-21 (both P<0.001). MMSE (r=-0.306, P<0.001) and MoCA scores (r=-0.251, P<0.001) were negatively associated with non-HDL-C level. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that non-HDL-C level (OR=1.361, 95%CI: 1.059-1.729, P=0.016) was independently associated with the presence of cognitive dysfunction after adjusting for confounding factors. High serum non-HDL-C level might significantly increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction after AIS.
Clinical Changes and Uterine Hemodynamic in Pyometra Medically Treated Bitches

Simple Summary Pyometra is an infectious uterine disorder marked by important clinical alterations and uterine contamination and blood flow changes in bitches. Although uterine removal is the most common mode of treatment, conservative therapy is an alternative. However, the success of medical treatment in restoring both clinical and uterine alterations has not yet been attested. Thus, we aimed to analyze the effects of both aglepristone alone or in combination with prostaglandin (associative) on clinical, laboratory and uterine hemodynamic features. Bitches were clinically and ultrasonographically (uterine blood flow) evaluated and medically followed-up throughout treatment (8 days) and castrated for local uterine analysis after 9 days of therapy onset. Associative therapy led to altered respiratory rate and decreased body temperature. Both treatments resolved bitches’ clinical condition and laboratory changes, and reduced uterine size. However, associative protocol was more effective in decreasing uterine vascularization and modulating uterine blood flow. Nevertheless, uterus remained microscopically altered soon after both therapy ending, thus not fully restoring local uterine changes in a short-term evaluation. Abstract Cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex is a canine endometrial disorder, considered the most common and important among uterine diseases. The treatment of choice is ovariohysterectomy, but medical treatments have become an alternative. However, no studies have been performed in order to evaluate uterine hemodynamic changes during medical treatment for pyometra bitches. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two medical protocols by means of clinical (heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature), medullar response (complete blood count (CBC)) and uterine hemodynamic evaluation in pyometra bitches. For such purpose, 10 bitches with pyometra were assigned to two groups: Aglepristone Group (n = 5) and Associative Group (aglepristone + prostaglandin; n = 5). The Associative Group had altered respiratory rate and decreased body temperature. The Aglepristone Group had decreased plasma protein, however, leukocyte count reduced over time for both therapeutic protocols. Uterine area and vascularization score decreased throughout treatment. There was a significant reduction in uterine perimeter, area and vascularization score. The Associative Group had lower final diastolic velocity and higher systole:diastole ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI). In conclusion, both medical treatments are effective in reversing clinical and CBC changes of pyometra, especially aglepristone, however they cannot fully restore local uterine changes in a short-term evaluation. Conversely, associative therapy was more effective in decreasing uterine vascularization and modulating uterine blood flow.
Study of the TEAD‐binding domain of the YAP protein from animal species

The Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a central role in the control of organ size in animals, is well conserved in metazoans. The most downstream elements of this pathway are the TEAD transcription factors that are regulated by their association with the transcriptional coactivator YAP. Therefore, the creation of the binding interface that ensures the formation of the YAP:TEAD complex is a critical molecular recognition event essential for the development/survival of many living organisms. In this report, using the available structural information on the YAP:TEAD complex, we study the TEAD‐binding domain of YAP from different animal species. This analysis of more than 400 amino acid sequences reveals that the residues from YAP involved in the formation of the two main contact regions with TEAD are very well conserved. Therefore, the binding interface between YAP and TEAD, as found in humans, probably appeared at an early evolutionary stage in metazoans. We find that, in contrast to most other animal species, several Actinopterygii species possess YAP variants with a different TEAD‐binding domain. However, these variants bind to TEAD with a similar affinity. Our studies show that the protein identified as a YAP homolog in Caenorhabditis elegans does not contain the TEAD‐binding domain found in YAP of other metazoans. Finally, we do not identify in non‐metazoan species, amino acid sequences containing both a TEAD‐binding domain, as in metazoan YAP, and WW domain(s).
Spliceosome-Associated microRNAs Signify Breast Cancer Cells and Portray Potential Novel Nuclear Targets

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as negative regulators of gene expression in the cytoplasm. Previous studies have identified the presence of miRNAs in the nucleus. Here we study human breast cancer-derived cell-lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and a non-tumorigenic cell-line (MCF-10A) and compare their miRNA sequences at the spliceosome fraction (SF). We report that the levels of miRNAs found in the spliceosome, their identity, and pre-miRNA segmental composition are cell-line specific. One such miRNA is miR-7704 whose genomic position overlaps HAGLR, a cancer-related lncRNA. We detected an inverse expression of miR-7704 and HAGLR in the tested cell lines. Specifically, inhibition of miR-7704 caused an increase in HAGLR expression. Furthermore, elevated levels of miR-7704 slightly altered the cell-cycle in MDA-MB-231. Altogether, we show that SF-miR-7704 acts as a tumor-suppressor gene with HAGLR being its nuclear target. The relative levels of miRNAs found in the spliceosome fractions (e.g., miR-100, miR-30a, and let-7 family) in non-tumorigenic relative to cancer-derived cell-lines was monitored. We found that the expression trend of the abundant miRNAs in SF was different from that reported in the literature and from the observation of large cohorts of breast cancer patients, suggesting that many SF-miRNAs act on targets that are different from the cytoplasmic ones. Altogether, we report on the potential of SF-miRNAs as an unexplored route for cancerous cell state.
Predicting risk of multiple levels of recurrence and progression after initial diagnosis of nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer in a multisite, community‐based cohort

Nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has heterogeneous recurrence and progression outcomes. Available risk calculators estimate recurrence and progression but do not predict the recurrence stage or grade, which may influence downstream treatment. The objective of this study was to predict risk‐stratified NMIBC recurrence and progression based on recurrence tumor classification and grade.
Rab11A Functions as a Negative Regulator of Osteoclastogenesis through Dictating Lysosome-Induced Proteolysis of c-fms and RANK Surface Receptors

Osteoclast differentiation and activity are controlled by two essential cytokines, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Rab11A GTPase, belonging to Rab11 subfamily representing the largest branch of Ras superfamily of small GTPases, has been identified as one of the crucial regulators of cell surface receptor recycling. Nevertheless, the regulatory role of Rab11A in osteoclast differentiation has been completely unknown. In this study, we found that Rab11A was strongly upregulated at a late stage of osteoclast differentiation derived from bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) or RAW-D murine osteoclast precursor cells. Rab11A silencing promoted osteoclast formation and significantly increased the surface levels of c-fms and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) while its overexpression attenuated osteoclast formation and the surface levels of c-fms and RANK. Using immunocytochemical staining for tracking Rab11A vesicular localization, we observed that Rab11A was localized in early and late endosomes, but not lysosomes. Intriguingly, Rab11A overexpression caused the enhancement of fluorescent intensity and size-based enlargement of early endosomes. Besides, Rab11A overexpression promoted lysosomal activity via elevating the endogenous levels of a specific lysosomal protein, LAMP1, and two key lysosomal enzymes, cathepsins B and D in osteoclasts. More importantly, inhibition of the lysosomal activity by chloroquine, we found that the endogenous levels of c-fms and RANK proteins were enhanced in osteoclasts. From these observations, we suggest a novel function of Rab11A as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis mainly through (i) abolishing the surface abundance of c-fms and RANK receptors, and (ii) upregulating lysosomal activity, subsequently augmenting the degradation of c-fms and RANK receptors, probably via the axis of early endosomes–late endosomes–lysosomes in osteoclasts.
The Anti-Senescence Activity of Cytokinin Arabinosides in Wheat and Arabidopsis Is Negatively Correlated with Ethylene Production

Leaf senescence, accompanied by chlorophyll breakdown, chloroplast degradation and inhibition of photosynthesis, can be suppressed by an exogenous application of cytokinins. Two aromatic cytokinin arabinosides (6-benzylamino-9-β-d-arabinofuranosylpurines; BAPAs), 3-hydroxy- (3OHBAPA) and 3-methoxy- (3MeOBAPA) derivatives, have recently been found to possess high anti-senescence activity. Interestingly, their effect on the maintenance of chlorophyll content and maximal quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) in detached dark-adapted leaves differed quantitatively in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Aranka) and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L. (Col-0)). In this work, we have found that the anti-senescence effects of 3OHBAPA and 3MeOBAPA in wheat and Arabidopsis also differ in other parameters, including the maintenance of carotenoid content and chloroplasts, rate of reduction of primary electron acceptor of PSII (QA) as well as electron transport behind QA, and partitioning of absorbed light energy in light-adapted leaves. In wheat, 3OHBAPA had a higher protective effect than 3MeOBAPA, whereas in Arabidopsis, 3MeOBAPA was the more efficient derivative. We have found that the different anti-senescent activity of 3OHBAPA and 3MeOBAPA was coupled to different ethylene production in the treated leaves: the lower the ethylene production, the higher the anti-senescence activity. 3OHBAPA and 3MeOBAPA also efficiently protected the senescing leaves of wheat and Arabidopsis against oxidative damage induced by both H2O2 and high-light treatment, which could also be connected with the low level of ethylene production.
A New Approach Based on Glued Multi-Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Forms to Fabricate Bone Replacement Products

Three types of glue based on thiol-ene reaction, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/cellulose, and phenol formaldehyde were prepared and applied on modified ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) samples grafted by cellulose. In comparison with unmodified UHMWPE samples, T-peel tests on the modified and grafted UHMWPE films showed an increase in the peel strength values for the glues based on thiol-ene reaction, PVA/cellulose, and phenol formaldehyde by 40, 29, and 41 times, respectively. The maximum peel strength value of 0.62 Kg/cm was obtained for the glue based on phenol formaldehyde. Mechanical tests for the cylindrical multi-UHMWPE forms samples, made of porous UHMWPE as a trabecular layer and an armored layer (cortical layer) that consists of bulk and UHMWPE films, indicated an improvement in the mechanical properties of these samples for all glue types, as a result of the UHMWPE films existence and the increase in the number of their layers. The maximum compressive yield strength and compressive modulus values for the armored layer (bulk and six layers of the UHMWPE films using the glue based on thiol-ene reaction) were 44.1 MPa (an increase of 17%) and 1130 MPa (an increase of 36%), respectively, in comparison with one armored layer of bulk UHMWPE. A hemocompatibility test carried out on these glues clarified that the modified UHMWPE grafted by cellulose with glues based on PVA/cellulose and thiol-ene reaction were classified as biocompatible materials. These multi-UHMWPE forms composites can be considered a promising development for joint reconstruction.