Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of clinicopathological and prognostic relevance of BMI‐1 in patients with colorectal cancer: A meta‐analysis

B‐cell‐specific Moloney leukemia virus insertion site 1 (BMI‐1) is one of the stemness markers. The prognostic and clinicopathological effects of BMI‐1 expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) have been in dispute with different studies. Eligible studies were retrieved from international databases up to December 2019. Studies with a relationship between the clinicopathological and prognostic value of CRC patients with BMI‐1 expression were selected. The correlations in the random‐effect model were evaluated using the hazard ratios, odds ratio, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of nine studies comprising Asian cases (seven studies) and European cases (two studies) covering 1,294 samples of CRC were included for this meta‐analysis. The analysis suggested that in Asian cases, increased expression of BMI‐1 was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and death‐free survival, whereas in European populations, high expression of BMI‐1 was associated with better OS. Also, overexpression of BMI‐1 in the Asian population was associated with the tumor size, distant metastasis, and patient's gender and age. Results suggested that high expression of BMI‐1 can be involved in the progression and invasion of CRC, and so its inhibitor‐based therapies could be used to prevent the progression of CRC.
Coupling Relationship Analysis between Quality Infrastructure and Ecological Environment Quality for Policy Implications

Long-term improvement of ecological environment quality (EEQ) is a hotspot and urgent topic in the context of high-quality and sustainable development. It is urgent to look for methods that could support EEQ improvement in a high-quality and sustainable way. Owing to its natural supporting and guaranteeing functions for enhancing quality, quality infrastructure (QI) is a fundamental and critical element in promoting EEQ, but a neglected one. In this paper, we analyzed the coupling structure between QI and EEQ and applied an improved coupling model to recognize contributed and weakened indicators that affected the coupling relationship. We also examined this coupling relationship in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) from 2012 to 2017, which proved the current situation where QI construction cannot satisfy the practical needs of EEQ improvement. Results showed that the important supporting role of QI in EEQ improvement should be valued for long-term sustainable development. Meanwhile, equilibrium and consistency of indicators in the QI and EEQ systems determined the coupling state. EEQ improvement countermeasures were also provided according to the coupling relationship analysis results. This study provided a scientific basis and guidance for EEQ improvement and sustainable development.
Nomenclatural remarks to the classification of plant communities along post-fire succession

Abstract This paper contains the original diagnoses of new syntaxa and typifications of existing names of syntaxa from paper “Classification of plant communities along post-fire succession in Pinus brutia stands in southern Antalya (Turkey)” that was published in Turkish Journal of Botany. As journal has only on-line version according to ICPN descriptions are not valid. We described syntaxa: Eryngio falcati-Securigerion securidacae all. nova, Ajugo chiae-Lactucetum serriolae ass. nova, Phlomido grandiflorae-Cistetum salvifolii ass. nova, and Arbuto andrachnes- Quercetum cocciferae ass. nova and selected nomenclatural type for Querco- Phillyreetum mediae Barbero & Quézel 1976.
Speaking across boundaries to explore the potential for interdisciplinarity in ecosystem services knowledge production

Conservation is likely to be most successful if it draws on knowledge from across the natural and social sciences. The ecosystem services concept has been called a boundary object in that it facilitates development of such interdisciplinary knowledge because it offers a common platform for researchers, policy makers, and practitioners. However, a question that remains is to what extent the interdisciplinary knowledge needed is provided by disciplinary diversity within the field. We asked where is knowledge on ecosystem services produced, how interdisciplinary is this knowledge, and which disciplines facilitate the greatest disciplinary integration? We defined interdisciplinarity as the extent to which published research draws on knowledge that crosses disciplinary borders and used citations as a quantitative indicator of communication among disciplines, based on journal classification. We used disciplinary diversity, richness, and heterocitation as measures of interdisciplinarity and betweenness centrality as a measure of disciplinary integration. Our data set contained 22,153 publications on ecosystem services, published from 1983 to 2018. We found that ecosystem services research matured; average yearly output growth was 33.8%, more than the 8–9% growth in scientific output across all fields. Over time, the network clustering coefficient, measuring connectedness of individual disciplines, rose from 0.388 to 0.727, suggesting increased density in the network of citations. Researchers in the field published more articles (3566 in 2018 alone) across more disciplines (77 unique disciplines in 2018). However, this growth was not mirrored by an increase in the diversity (stable at 0.7–0.9) or richness (averaging 0.35 unique disciplines per citation) of citation patterns. Heterocitation scores, or out‐of‐group citations, for arts, humanities, social sciences, and law ranged from 56% to 64%, which was lower than we expected, although this may serve to protect the integrity of social science disciplines and attract broader engagement from within. Ultimately, a small number of productive disciplines are central to supporting disciplinary integration. However, opportunities exist for conservation practice to draw on a broader field of research, to realize the potential that the diverse body of knowledge of interdisciplinary work offers.
Finite-Time Synchronization for Delayed Complex Dynamical Networks With Synchronizing or Desynchronizing Impulses

In this article, the finite-time synchronization problem of delayed complex dynamical networks (CDNs) with impulses is studied, where two types of impulses, namely, synchronizing impulses and desynchronizing impulses, are fully considered, respectively. Since the existence of impulses makes the discontinuity of the states, which means that the classical result for finite-time stability is inapplicable in such a case, the key challenge is how to guarantee the finite-time stability and estimate the settling time in impulse sense. We apply impulsive control theory and finite-time stability theory to CDNs and establish some sufficient conditions for finite-time synchronization, where two kinds of memory controllers are designed for synchronizing impulses and desynchronizing impulses, respectively. Moreover, the upper bounds for settling time of synchronization, which depends on the impulse sequences, are effectively estimated. It shows that the synchronizing impulses can shorten the settling time of synchronization; conversely, the desynchronizing impulses can delay it. Finally, the theoretical analysis is verified by two simulation examples.
Local Glutamate-Mediated Dendritic Plateau Potentials Change the State of the Cortical Pyramidal Neuron

Dendritic spikes in thin dendritic branches (basal and oblique dendrites) of pyramidal neurons are traditionally inferred from spikelets measured in the cell body. Here, we used laser-spot voltage-sensitive dye imaging in cortical pyramidal neurons (rat brain slices) to investigate the voltage waveforms of dendritic potentials occurring in response to spatially-restricted glutamatergic inputs. Local dendritic potentials lasted 200–500 ms and propagated to the cell body where they caused sustained 10-20 mV depolarizations. Plateau potentials propagating from dendrite to soma, and action potentials propagating from soma to dendrite, created complex voltage waveforms in the middle of the thin basal dendrite, comprised of local sodium spikelets, local plateau potentials, and back-propagating action potentials, superimposed on each other. Our model replicated these experimental observations and made predictions, which were tested in experiments. Dendritic plateau potentials occurring in basal and oblique branches put pyramidal neurons into an activated neuronal state (“prepared state”), characterized by depolarized membrane potential and faster membrane responses. The prepared state provides a time window of 200-500 ms during which cortical neurons are particularly excitable and capable of following afferent inputs. At the network level, this predicts that sets of cells with simultaneous plateaus would provide cellular substrate for the formation of functional neuronal ensembles. New & Noteworthy In cortical pyramidal neurons, we recorded glutamate-mediated dendritic plateau potentials using voltage imaging, and created a computer model that recreated experimental measures from dendrite and cell body. Our model made new predictions, which were then tested in experiments. Plateau potentials profoundly change neuronal state -- a plateau potential triggered in one basal dendrite depolarizes the soma and shortens membrane time constant, making the cell more susceptible to firing triggered by other afferent inputs.
Bacterial Community Dynamics Distinguish Poultry Compost from Dairy Compost and Non-Amended Soils Planted with Spinach

The aim of this study was to determine whether and how poultry litter compost and dairy manure compost alter the microbial communities within field soils planted with spinach. In three successive years, separate experimental plots on two fields received randomly assigned compost treatments varying in animal origin: dairy manure (DMC), poultry litter (PLC), or neither (NoC). The composition and function of bacterial and fungal communities were characterized by the amplicon sequencing of marker genes and by the ecoenzyme activity, respectively. The temporal autocorrelation within and among years was adjusted by principal response curves (PRC) to analyze the effect of compost on community composition among treatments. Bacteria in the phylum Bacteriodetes, classes Flavobacteriia and Spingobacteriales (Fluviicola, Flavobacteriia, and Pedobacter), were two to four times more abundant in soils amended with PLC than DMC or NoC consistently among fields and years. Fungi in the phylum Ascomycota were relatively abundant, but their composition was field-specific and without treatment differences. The ecoenzyme data verify that the effects of PLC and DMC on soil communities are based on their microbial composition and not a response to the C source or nutrient content of the compost.
Modifications in Systemic Rheumatic Disease Medications: Patients’ Perspectives During the Height of the COVID‐19 Pandemic in New York City

Concerns about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV‐2) infection may have led to changes or discontinuation of immunosuppressive medications among patients with systemic rheumatic disease. Our goal was to assess patients’ perspectives regarding medication modifications and deviations from planned uses during the height of the pandemic.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Positively Affects the Natural History of Cancer in Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome

Purpose: Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is a DNA repair disorder with a high predisposition to hematologic malignancies. Experimental Design: We describe the natural history of NBS, including cancer incidence, risk of death, and the potential effectiveness of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in preventing both pathologies: malignancy and immunodeficiency. Results: Among 241 patients with NBS enrolled in the study from 11 countries, 151 (63.0%) patients were diagnosed with cancer. Incidence rates for primary and secondary cancer, tumor characteristics, and risk factors affecting overall survival (OS) were estimated. The cumulative cancer incidence was 40.21% ± 3.5% and 77.78% ± 3.4% at 10 years and 20 years of follow-up, respectively. Most of the tumors n = 95 (62.9%) were non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Overall, 20 (13.2%) secondary malignancies occurred at a median age of 18 (interquartile range, 13.7–21.5) years. The probability of 20-year overall survival (OS) for the whole cohort was 44.6% ± 4.5%. Patients who developed cancer had a shorter 20-year OS than those without malignancy (29.6% vs. 86.2%; P < 10−5). A total of 49 patients with NBS underwent HSCT, including 14 patients transplanted before malignancy. Patients with NBS with diagnosed cancer who received HSCT had higher 20-year OS than those who did not (42.7% vs. 30.3%; P = 0.038, respectively). In the group of patients who underwent preemptive transplantation, only 1 patient developed cancer, which is 6.7 times lower as compared with nontransplanted patients [incidence rate ratio 0.149 (95% confidence interval, 0.138–0.162); P < 0.0001]. Conclusions: There is a beneficial effect of HSCT on the long-term survival of patients with NBS transplanted in their first complete remission of cancer.
RIG-I–Like Receptor LGP2 Is Required for Tumor Control by Radiotherapy

These findings reveal an essential role of LGP2 in promoting antitumor immunity after radiotherapy and provides a new strategy to enhance radiotherapy. Dendritic cells (DC) play an essential role in innate immunity and radiation-elicited immune responses. LGP2 is a RIG-I–like receptor involved in cytoplasmic RNA recognition and antiviral responses. Although LGP2 has also been linked to cell survival of both tumor cells and T cells, the role of LGP2 in mediating DC function and antitumor immunity elicited by radiotherapy remains unclear. Here, we report that tumor DCs are linked to the clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer who received radiotherapy, and the presence of DC correlates with gene expression of LGP2 in the tumor microenvironment. In preclinical models, host LGP2 was essential for optimal antitumor control by ionizing radiation (IR). The absence of LGP2 in DC dampened type I IFN production and the priming capacity of DC. In the absence of LGP2, MDA5-mediated activation of type I IFN signaling was abrogated. The MDA5/LGP2 agonist high molecular weight poly I:C improved the antitumor effect of IR. This study reveals a previously undefined role of LGP2 in host immunity and provides a new strategy to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy. Significance: These findings reveal an essential role of LGP2 in promoting antitumor immunity after radiotherapy and provide a new strategy to enhance radiotherapy.
Complete mitochondrial genome of Saiga tatarica (Ruminantia; Pecora; Bovidae) isolate Wuwei in China

Abstract This report described the complete mitochondrial genome of the Saiga antelope, Saiga tatarica, from the Gansu Endangered Animal Research Center (GEARC) in Gansu Province, China. The mitogenome was a circular molecule of 16,376 bps (Genbank accession number: MF497028). It contained 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA and two rDNA genes. The protein-coding genes had ATA or ATG as the initiation codon, and were terminated by the typical stop codon TAA, except for NAD2 and NAD3. The complete mitogenome sequence would be useful for further understanding origination, evolution and conservation genetics of S. tatarica population in China.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Injectable Betamethasone-Loaded Tyramine-Modified Gellan Gum/Silk Fibroin Hydrogels

Rheumatoid arthritis is a rheumatic disease for which a healing treatment does not presently exist. Silk fibroin has been extensively studied for use in drug delivery systems due to its uniqueness, versatility and strong clinical track record in medicine. However, in general, natural polymeric materials are not mechanically stable enough, and have high rates of biodegradation. Thus, synthetic materials such as gellan gum can be used to produce composite structures with biological signals to promote tissue-specific interactions while providing the desired mechanical properties. In this work, we aimed to produce hydrogels of tyramine-modified gellan gum with silk fibroin (Ty–GG/SF) via horseradish peroxidase (HRP), with encapsulated betamethasone, to improve the biocompatibility and mechanical properties, and further increase therapeutic efficacy to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The Ty–GG/SF hydrogels presented a β-sheet secondary structure, with gelation time around 2–5 min, good resistance to enzymatic degradation, a suitable injectability profile, viscoelastic capacity with a significant solid component and a betamethasone-controlled release profile over time. In vitro studies showed that Ty–GG/SF hydrogels did not produce a deleterious effect on cellular metabolic activity, morphology or proliferation. Furthermore, Ty–GG/SF hydrogels with encapsulated betamethasone revealed greater therapeutic efficacy than the drug applied alone. Therefore, this strategy can provide an improvement in therapeutic efficacy when compared to the traditional use of drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
An Elaborated Signal Model for Simultaneous Range and Vector Velocity Estimation in FMCW Radar

A rigorous mathematical description of the signal reflected from a moving object for radar monitoring tasks using linear frequency modulated continuous wave (LFMCW) microwave radars is proposed. The mathematical model is based on the quasi-relativistic vector transformation of coordinates and Lorentz time. The spatio-temporal structure of the echo signal was obtained taking into account the transverse component of the radar target speed, which made it possible to expand the boundaries of the range of measuring the range and speed of vehicles using LFMCW radars. An algorithm for the simultaneous estimation of the range, radial and transverse components of the velocity vector of an object from the observation data of the time series during one frame of the probing signal is proposed. For an automobile 77 GHz microwave LFMCW radar, a computer experiment was carried out to measure the range and velocity vector of a radar target using the developed mathematical model of the echo signal and an algorithm for estimating the motion parameters. The boundaries of the range for measuring the range and speed of the target are determined. The results of the performed computer experiment are in good agreement with the results of theoretical analysis.
Range of SHH signaling in adrenal gland is limited by membrane contact to cells with primary cilia

Mateska et al. describe a mechanism restricting the range of SHH pathway activation in adrenal gland to cells with ARL13B-positive primary cilia that are in physical contact with SHH-producing cells. Cancerous adrenocortical cells evade this restriction by ectopically activating SHH targets in response to TGF-β.
The Biochemical and Genetic Basis for the Biosynthesis of Bioactive Compounds in Hypericum perforatum L., One of the Largest Medicinal Crops in Europe

Hypericum perforatum L. commonly known as Saint John’s Wort (SJW), is an important medicinal plant that has been used for more than 2000 years. Although H. perforatum produces several bioactive compounds, its importance is mainly linked to two molecules highly relevant for the pharmaceutical industry: the prenylated phloroglucinol hyperforin and the naphtodianthrone hypericin. The first functions as a natural antidepressant while the second is regarded as a powerful anticancer drug and as a useful compound for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. While the antidepressant activity of SJW extracts motivate a multi-billion dollar industry around the world, the scientific interest centers around the biosynthetic pathways of hyperforin and hypericin and their medical applications. Here, we focus on what is known about these processes and evaluate the possibilities of combining state of the art omics, genome editing, and synthetic biology to unlock applications that would be of great value for the pharmaceutical and medical industries.
No Evidence for a Role of Spatially Modulated α-Band Activity in Tactile Remapping and Short-Latency, Overt Orienting Behavior

Oscillatory α-band activity is commonly associated with spatial attention and multisensory prioritization. It has also been suggested to reflect the automatic transformation of tactile stimuli from a skin-based, somatotopic reference frame into an external one. Previous research has not convincingly separated these two possible roles of α-band activity. Previous experimental paradigms have used artificially long delays between tactile stimuli and behavioral responses to aid relating oscillatory activity to these different events. However, this strategy potentially blurs the temporal relationship of α-band activity relative to behavioral indicators of tactile-spatial transformations. Here, we assessed α-band modulation with massive univariate deconvolution, an analysis approach that disentangles brain signals overlapping in time and space. Thirty-one male and female human participants performed a delay-free, visual search task in which saccade behavior was unrestricted. A tactile cue to uncrossed or crossed hands was either informative or uninformative about visual target location. α-Band suppression following tactile stimulation was lateralized relative to the stimulated hand over central-parietal electrodes but relative to its external location over parieto-occipital electrodes. α-Band suppression reflected external touch location only after informative cues, suggesting that posterior α-band lateralization does not index automatic tactile transformation. Moreover, α-band suppression occurred at the time of, or after, the production of the saccades guided by tactile stimulation. These findings challenge the idea that α-band activity is directly involved in tactile-spatial transformation and suggest instead that it reflects delayed, supramodal processes related to attentional reorienting. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Localizing a touch in space requires integrating somatosensory information about skin location and proprioceptive or visual information about posture. The automatic remapping between skin-based tactile information to a location in external space has been proposed to rely on the modulation of oscillatory brain activity in the α-band range, across the multiple cortical areas that are involved in tactile, multisensory, and spatial processing. We report two findings that are inconsistent with this view. First, α-band activity reflected the remapped stimulus location only when touch was task relevant. Second, α-band modulation occurred too late to account for spatially directed behavioral responses and, thus, only after remapping must have taken place. These characteristics contradict the idea that α-band directly reflects automatic tactile remapping processes.