Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nivolumab plus gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin chemotherapy induce durable complete remission in relapsed/refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma: a case report and literature review

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is an uncommon, but aggressive, type of B-cell lymphoma. Patients with relapsed refractory PMBCL (rrPMBCL) have limited therapeutic options and usually have a relatively poor outcome. Immune checkpoint blockade has become a potential treatment for this disease. We report here a case of a female patient with rrPMBCL who was treated with nivolumab plus gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin (GDP) chemotherapy. Complete remission was achieved after four cycles of combined therapy. With continued nivolumab maintenance monotherapy, she has remained in complete remission for longer than 28 months. This is the first report of nivolumab plus GDP chemotherapy inducing complete remission in patient with rrPMBCL. This case supplements the limited literature and provides implications for clinical trial designs regarding the potential use of nivolumab in the treatment of rrPMBCL.
Low Myostatin Serum Levels Are Associated with Poor Outcome in Critically Ill Patients

Background: Growth differentiation factor 8, GDF-8 (Myostatin), is a protein released by myocytes inhibiting muscle growth and differentiation. Serum concentrations of Myostatin can predict poor survival in different chronic diseases, but its role in critical illness and sepsis is obscure. Our aim was to investigate Myostatin levels as a potential prognostic biomarker in critically ill patients with sepsis. Methods: We therefore measured Myostatin serum concentrations in 165 critically ill patients (106 with sepsis, 59 without sepsis) upon admission to the medical intensive care unit (ICU), in comparison to 14 healthy controls. Results: Myostatin levels were significantly decreased in ICU patients compared to controls but did not differ in patients with or without sepsis. However, Myostatin concentrations were significantly lower in patients requiring mechanical ventilation and indicated a trend towards dependency of intravenous vasopressors. Interestingly, we observed a negative correlation between Myostatin levels and markers of systemic inflammation. Strikingly, overall survival (OS) was significantly impaired in patients with low Myostatin levels in all critically ill patients. Low Myostatin levels at baseline turned out as an independent prognostic marker for OS in multivariate Cox-regression analysis (HR: 0.433, 95% CI: 0.211–0.889, p = 0.023). Conclusions: In summary, serum Myostatin concentrations are significantly decreased in critically ill patients and associated with disease severity. Low Myostatin levels also identify a subgroup of ICU patients that are more likely to face an unfavorable clinical outcome in terms of OS.
Ege Bölgesi Akarsularında Yakalanan Avrupa Yılan Balıklarında (Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758) Raphidascaris acus Bloch, 1779 (Nematoda: Anisakidae)’un İlk Moleküler Karakterizasyonu

In this study, the presence of anisakid nematodes in the European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) was investigated. A total of 30 specimens of eels were caught by local fishermen from the Buyuk Menderes River, Turkey. Nematoda species of Raphidascaris acus was found from eels. This is the first record of R. acus from A. anguilla from Turkish waters. The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS-1and ITS-2) and 5.8S of this parasitic species was amplified and sequenced. Also, all the nematodes were identified as R. acus based on nucleotide sequence comparisons. Pairwise comparison between the entire ITS regions and 5.8S of the R. acus isolates of A. anguilla (GenBank accession number: KT633862) and other R. acus isolates from Caspian Sea (KM047505), and Vistula Lagoon, Poland (AY603537) showed differences ranging from 0.0 to 1.9% intraspecific nucleotide differences, respectively. With the present study, R. acus infecting A. anguilla caught off the Aegean Region streams were characterized for the first time by sequencing of the rDNA ITS regions and 5.8S.
Fall-related measures in elderly individuals and Parkinson’s disease subjects

Falls pose a serious problem in elderly and clinical populations. Most often, they lead to a loss of mobility and independence. They might also be an indirect cause of death. The aim of this study was to determine an objective predictor of the fear of falling and falls in elderly subjects (ESs) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) subjects. Thirty-two ESs were examined in this study, of whom sixteen were diagnosed with PD. The testing procedures comprised force plate measurements (limit of stability test–LOS test) and clinical tests (Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go test, Tinetti test). The Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) was used to evaluate the fear of falling. The range of the maximum forward lean was normalized to the length from the ankle joint to the head of the first metatarsal bone and was named the functional forward stability indicator (FFSI). The FFSI, derived from the LOS test, allowed us to demonstrate the real deficit in functional stability and individual safety margins. Moreover, the FFSI was highly correlated with the FES-I score and almost all clinical test results in elderly subjects (r>0,6; p<0.05). In PD subjects, the FFSI was poorly correlated with the fear of falling, the BBS score and the FR distance; however, a high correlation with the Tinetii test (r>0,6, p<0.05) was noted. The PD subjects presented a different balance strategy when close to their stability limits, which was also reflected in the lower values of sample entropy (t = (-2.40); p<0.05; d = 0.87). The FFSI might be a good predictor of the fear of falling in the group of elderly people. Additionally, the FFSI allows us to show real balance deficits both in PD subjects and in their healthy peers without the need for a reference group and norms. In conclusion, it is postulated that the popular clinical assessments of postural balance in PD subjects should be accompanied by reliable posturography measurements.
Estimating Extreme 3D Image Rotation with Transformer Cross-Attention

The estimation of large and extreme image rotation plays a key role in multiple computer vision domains, where the rotated images are related by a limited or a non-overlapping ﬁeld of view. Contemporary approaches apply convolutional neural networks to compute a 4D correlation volume to estimate the relative rotation between image pairs. In this work, we propose a cross-attention-based approach that utilizes CNN feature maps and a Transformer-Encoder, to compute the cross-attention be-tween the activation maps of the image pairs, which is shown to be an improved equivalent of the 4D correlation volume, used in previous works. In the suggested approach, higher attention scores are associated with image regions that encode visual cues of rotation. Our approach is end-to-end trainable and optimizes a simple regression loss. It is experimentally shown to outperform contemporary state-of-the-art schemes when applied to commonly used image rotation datasets and benchmarks, and establishes a new state-of-the-art accuracy on these datasets. We make our code publicly available 1 .
Alternative splicing of leptin receptor overlapping transcript in osteosarcoma

Alternative splicing of RNA is an essential mechanism that increases proteomic diversity in eukaryotic cells. Aberrant alternative splicing is often associated with various human diseases, including cancer. We conducted whole-transcriptome analysis of 18 osteosarcoma bone samples (paired normal—tumor biopsies). Using RNA-seq, we identified statistically significant (FDR <0.05) 26 differentially expressed transcript variants of leptin receptor overlapping transcript (LEPROT) gene. Some of the transcripts were overexpressed in normal cells, whereas others were overexpressed in tumor cells. The function of LEPROT is not completely understood. Herein, we highlight a possible association between OS and aberrant alternative splicing events and its interaction with the expression of LEPROT. We also discuss the role of LEPROT in regulating growth hormone and its receptor, and the relationship with initiation and progression of OS. This research study may help to understand the association of alternative splicing mechanism in OS and in tumorigenesis more generally. Further, LEPROT gene can also be considered as a potential biomarker of osteosarcoma. Impact statement Osteosarcoma (OS, also known as osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common primary malignancy of bone in children and adolescents. The molecular mechanisms of OS are extremely complicated and its molecular mediators remain to be elucidated. We sequenced total RNA from 18 OS bone samples (paired normal—tumor biopsies). We found statistically significant (FDR <0.05) 26 differentially expressed transcript variants of LEPROT gene with different expressions in normal and tumor samples. These findings contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms of OS development and provide encouragement to pursue further research.
Validation and measurement uncertainty of GC-MS quantification method for nicotine in dried mushrooms using QuEChERS extraction

ABSTRACT Nicotine is an alkaloid and a secondary plant metabolite that has been used as an insecticide. Despite their widespread application, the EU banned the use of nicotine-containing pesticides in December 2008. However, studies in Europe have found nicotine in mushrooms. Nicotine has also been detected in wild mushrooms, so there are other causes of contamination as well as pesticide. This study reports the development of GC-MS method for quantitatively analysing nicotine in mushrooms. This method provides recoveries of 89.5–92.5%, intra-day precisions of 0.32–0.85%, and inter-day precisions of 0.73–2.36%, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.38 and 1.15 μg kg-1, respectively. The relative expanded uncertainty result of 2.8–4.0% complies with CODEX requirements. The method was successfully applied to eleven mushroom samples in which nicotine was detected at levels of 0.033–1.713 mg kg-1. Therefore, this method is suitable for the quantification of nicotine in dried mushrooms to ensure pre-emptive food safety. Graphical abstract
Professional science education videos improve student performance in nonmajor and intermediate biology laboratory courses

Undergraduate biology laboratories emphasize hands‐on skills. Typically, descriptions of manual techniques are delivered via written instruction. Custom‐produced prelab instructional videos, which augment prelab instruction, have come into wider use in recent years. However, institutional and economic barriers can interfere with video production at all colleges and universities. In such cases, professionally produced laboratory instructional videos provide an attractive alternative. We hypothesized that students who watch short, professionally produced instructional videos before performing a laboratory would feel more confident and achieve greater learning gains than students whose prelab instruction was limited to handouts. For this proof of concept study, we investigated the value added when students watched a brief video, twice per lab, in an intermediate molecular biology course at a small, liberal arts university, and in a nonmajors biology course at a large, public research university. Both video and nonvideo comparison groups were administered a pre‐ and postlab exams. A postlab self‐efficacy survey was also administered to video groups. Our results reveal that in three out of the four laboratory classes, students who watched professional instruction videos performed significantly better in both pre‐ and postlab exams. For these students, we observed up to a two‐fold increase in test scores on scientific concepts and techniques. For all classes, most of the video group students reported that the video contributed to their confidence, comprehension of concepts, and understanding of how to conduct the lab. We conclude that professional instructional videos may address production barriers and have the potential to effectively enhance undergraduate science curricula and significantly improve students' performance.
Modern Senicide in the Face of a Pandemic: An Examination of Public Discourse and Sentiment about Older Adults and COVID-19 Using Machine Learning

Abstract Objectives This study examined public discourse and sentiment regarding older adults and COVID-19 on social media and assessed the extent of ageism in public discourse. Methods Twitter data (N=82,893) related to both older adults and COVID-19 and dated from January 23 to May 20, 2020, were analyzed. We used a combination of data science methods (including Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, supervised machine learning, topic modeling, and sentiment analysis), qualitative thematic analysis, and conventional statistics. Results The most common category in the coded tweets was “personal opinions” (66.2%), followed by “informative” (24.7%), “jokes/ridicule” (4.8%), and “personal experiences” (4.3%). The daily average of ageist content was 18%, with the highest of 52.8% on March 11, 2020. Specifically, more than one in ten (11.5%) tweets implied that the life of older adults is less valuable or downplayed the pandemic because it mostly harms older adults. A small proportion (4.6%) explicitly supported the idea of just isolating older adults. Almost three-quarters (72.9%) within “jokes/ridicule” targeted older adults, half of which were “death jokes. ” Also, 14 themes were extracted, such as perceptions of lockdown and risk. A bivariate Granger causality test suggested that informative tweets regarding at-risk populations increased the prevalence of tweets that downplayed the pandemic. Discussion Ageist content in the context of COVID-19 was prevalent on Twitter. Information about COVID-19 on Twitter influenced public perceptions of risk and acceptable ways of controlling the pandemic. Public education on the risk of severe illness is needed to correct misperceptions.
Tuning of Ag Nanoparticle Properties in Cellulose Nanocrystals/Ag Nanoparticle Hybrid Suspensions by H2O2 Redox Post-Treatment: The Role of the H2O2/AgNP Ratio

Hybrid nanoparticles involving 10-nm silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nucleated on unmodified rod-like cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were prepared by chemical reduction. H2O2 used as a post-treatment induced a size-shape transition following a redox mechanism, passing from 10-nm spherical AgNPs to 300-nm triangular or prismatic NPs (AgNPrisms), where CNCs are the only stabilizers for AgNPs and AgNPrisms. We investigated the role of the H2O2/AgNP mass ratio (α) on AgNPs. At α values above 0.20, the large amount of H2O2 led to extensive oxidation that produced numerous nucleation points for AgNPrisms on CNCs. On the contrary, for α below 0.20, primary AgNPs are only partially oxidized, releasing a reduced amount of Ag+ ions and thus preventing the formation of AgNPrisms and reforming spherical AgNPs. While XRD and EXAFS reveal that the AgNP fcc crystal structure is unaffected by the H2O2 treatment, the XANES spectra proved that the AgNP–AgNPrism transition is always associated with an increase in the metallic Ag fraction (Ag0). In contrast, the formation of new 15-nm spherical AgNPs keeps the initial Ag0/Ag+ ratio unmodified. For the first time, we introduce a complete guide map for the fully-controlled preparation of aqueous dispersed AgNPs using CNC as a template.
Confidence in coping with COVID‐19 and its related factors among the public in Taiwan

their time at home for studying, notwithstanding the fact that most of their time was devoted to using the Internet and/or gaming. It may imply that studying at home, including time spent on online educational activities, worked better than studying at school for some of these treatment seekers. This study suggests that social restrictions, including stay-home measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have negatively affected Internet use and gaming behavior among treatment seekers. However, this situation may also have provided an environment in which socially isolated treatment seekers were able to study more at home. This study was retrospective in design and focused only on treatment seekers. In addition, the small number of questions in the questionnaire and limited number of study participants did not allow for detailed data analysis (e.g., severity of GD/EUIG and the comorbidity of the participants). Further studies on other subject groups, including the general population and students, using a prospective design are warranted.
Tricuspid Valve and Right Ventricular Function Throughout the Hybrid Palliation Strategy for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Variants

Background: Tricuspid valve (TV) and right ventricular (RV) function are major determinants of morbidity and mortality in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). We sought to retrospectively evaluate these parameters throughout the hybrid palliation strategy. Methods: From 2002 to 2018, 203 patients with HLHS and variants presented for hybrid stage I (HS1). Echocardiographic evaluation of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and RV function was assessed at multiple time points. Clinical outcomes including tricuspid valvuloplasty, transplantation, and death were reviewed. Results: The most prevalent HLHS subtype was aortic atresia/mitral atresia. The presence of significant TR and/or RV dysfunction was 14.78% and 9.36%, respectively, at the time of initial HS1. There were 185 survivors following HS1 (91.13%, n = 185/203), while 147 patients underwent comprehensive stage II or bidirectional Glenn shunt (72.41%, n = 147/203). Tricuspid valvuloplasty was undertaken in nine patients (4.86%, n = 9/185). Ultimately, 100 patients underwent the Fontan procedure. The odds of development of significant TR and/or RV dysfunction were not statistically different throughout the stages of palliation (TR: odds ratio [OR] = 0.14-0.25, P = .5260; RV dysfunction: OR = 0.02-0.13, P = .3992). However, the risk of death and/or transplant was 2.5- to 3.8-fold when either were present alone or in combination (TR: OR = 2.58, P = .0356; RV dysfunction: OR = 3.84, P = .0262). Transplant-free survival at 15 years was 44.8%. Conclusion: Following hybrid palliation for HLHS, the majority of survivors have normal RV and TV functions. Tricuspid valvuloplasty was required in few patients. Once significant TR and/or RV dysfunction ensues, there is a two- to three-fold risk of death and/or transplant.
Methylphenidate in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Long-Term Follow Up Naturalistic Study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often co-occurs with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although methylphenidate (MPH) efficacy and safety are well-demonstrated for ADHD, evidences are scant in the context of ASD. This naturalistic study aimed to analyze long-term MPH efficacy and safety in 40 ADHD children and adolescents with comorbid ASD, comparing them with 40 ones affected by ADHD without ASD. Treatment lasted from 6 to 156 months (longer than 24 months in more than three quarters of patients). Efficacy and safety were measured by clinical global impression and children global assessment scales; influence of intellectual functioning was examined. Comparisons between groups were made by Wilcoxon or Friedmann tests; relationships between functioning scores and other characteristics were analyzed by ordinal logistic and linear regression. Results demonstrated that MPH in patients with ASD was associated with significative reduction of illness severity, clinical improvement and amelioration of global functioning, without significant differences with patients having ADHD without ASD. The trend of reduction of illness severity and increase of global functioning were favorably related with intellectual functioning. No serious adverse events were reported. The findings showed that long-term MPH was effective and well-tolerated in ADHD children and adolescents with comorbid high functioning ASD.
Feasibility and characterization of a safe susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil for MR spectroscopy

When using endorectal coils, local radiofrequency (RF) heating may occur in the surrounding tissue. Furthermore, most endorectal coils create a susceptibility artifact detrimental to both anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) acquisitions. We aimed at assessing the safety and MRS performance of a susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil for further rectal wall analysis. Experiments were performed on a General Electric MR750 3 T scanner. A variable number of miniaturized passive RF traps were incorporated in the reception cable. The assessment of RF heating and coil sensitivity was conducted on a 1.5% agar‐agar phantom doped with NaCl. Several susceptibility‐matched materials such as Ultem, perfluorocarbon and barium sulfate were then compared with an external coil. Finally, Ultem was used as a solid support for an endorectal coil and compared with a reference coil. Phantom experiments exhibited a complete suppression of both the RF heating phenomenon and the coil sensitivity artifact. Ultem was the material that produced the smallest image distortion. The full width at half maximum of MR spectra acquired using the susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil showed at least 30% narrowing compared with a reference endorectal coil. A susceptibility‐matched endorectal coil with RF traps incorporated was validated on phantoms. This coil appears to be a promising device for future in vivo experiments.
Activation of viral transcription by stepwise largescale folding of an RNA virus genome

Abstract The genomes of RNA viruses contain regulatory elements of varying complexity. Many plus-strand RNA viruses employ largescale intra-genomic RNA-RNA interactions as a means to control viral processes. Here, we describe an elaborate RNA structure formed by multiple distant regions in a tombusvirus genome that activates transcription of a viral subgenomic mRNA. The initial step in assembly of this intramolecular RNA complex involves the folding of a large viral RNA domain, which generates a discontinuous binding pocket. Next, a distally-located protracted stem-loop RNA structure docks, via base-pairing, into the binding site and acts as a linchpin that stabilizes the RNA complex and activates transcription. A multi-step RNA folding pathway is proposed in which rate-limiting steps contribute to a delay in transcription of the capsid protein-encoding viral subgenomic mRNA. This study provides an exceptional example of the complexity of genome-scale viral regulation and offers new insights into the assembly schemes utilized by large intra-genomic RNA structures.