Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
rs10865331 in 2p15 increases susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis: a HuGE review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES 2p15 polymorphisms have been reported to increase ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility in several studies; however, when it comes to whether and how much of this risk exists, the results are inconclusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between rs10865331 in 2p15 and the risk of AS. METHODS We conducted a HuGE review and meta-analysis of studies published through September 2019. Studies were identified in PubMed, Scopus, HuGE Navigator, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk estimations were calculated. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and analysis for potential publication bias were also estimated. RESULTS Eleven studies with 18555 AS patients and 43777 unrelated healthy individuals, each with a score greater than 6 on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), that investigated the association between rs10865331 in 2p15 and AS were included in our meta-analysis. Data were classified into the genotype analysis cohort, the OR-value cohort, and the pooled analysis cohort, and then a meta-analysis was performed. The OR value of the recessive model in the genotype analysis cohort was 1.376 (95% CI=1.204-1.572, p<0.001, I²=56.30%), and the OR value of the pooled analysis cohort was 1.295 (95% CI=1.228-1.365, p<0.001, I²=73.70%). These findings suggest that individual who carries this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are about 30% more susceptible to developing AS. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that rs10865331 is associated with a significantly higher risk of AS in all race and country subgroups that we have evaluated. Therefore, rs10865331 may be a useful genetic marker for predicting AS susceptibility. However, further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Association between serum n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and quadriceps weakness immediately after total knee arthroplasty

Objectives Quadriceps weakness (QW) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be elicited by tourniquet-induced ischaemia reperfusion (IR), which causes a vigorous acute inflammatory response. Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are important determinants of organ and tissue protection from IR. This study aimed to examine the association between serum n-3 PUFA levels and QW, knee pain, and knee swelling immediately after TKA. Methods A total of 32 patients who underwent unilateral TKA participated in this prospective study. On Postoperative Day 1, serum n-3 PUFA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) levels were measured. Preoperatively and on Postoperative Day 4, quadriceps strength, knee pain during quadriceps testing, and knee circumference were measured. QW, knee pain, and knee swelling were defined as changes in quadriceps strength, knee pain during quadriceps testing, and knee circumference, respectively, between the preoperative to the postoperative measurement. Results Mean serum n-3 PUFA levels were 192 μg/mL (standard deviation, 58 μg/mL) on Postoperative Day 1. All measured variables changed significantly between the preoperative and the postoperative measurement time-points (P <0.01). Quadriceps strength decreased from 1.2 to 0.4 Nm/kg (QW = −65%). Knee pain during quadriceps testing increased from 1.1 to 6.0 (knee pain = 4.0). Knee circumference increased from 40 to 44 cm (knee swelling = 10%). Multivariate analysis showed that lower serum n-3 PUFA levels were independently associated with an increased QW after adjusting for the Kellgren-Lawrence grade and the tourniquet time (P = 0.04). No significant relationship was observed between serum n-3 PUFA levels and knee pain or knee swelling. Conclusion Higher serum n-3 PUFA are independently associated with a lower increase in the QW immediately after TKA.
Super Critical Fluid Extracted Fatty Acids from Withania somnifera Seeds Repair Psoriasis-Like Skin Lesions and Attenuate Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) Release

(1) Background: Withania somnifera Dunal (Ashwagandha) is a widely used medicinal herb in traditional medicinal systems with extensive research on various plant parts. Surprisingly, seeds of W. somnifera have never been investigated for their therapeutic potential. (2) Methods: W. somnifera seeds were extracted for fatty acids (WSSO) using super critical fluid extraction, and was analyzed by gas chromatography. Its therapeutic potential in psoriasis-like skin etiologies was investigated using a 12-O tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced psoriatic mouse model. Psoriatic inflammation along with psoriatic lesions and histopathological scores were recorded. WSSO was also tested on murine macrophage (RAW264.7), human epidermoid (A431), and monocytic (THP-1) cells, stimulated with TPA or lipo poly-saccharide (LPS) to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and TNF-α) release. NFκB promoter activity was also measured by luciferase reporter assay. (3) Results: Topical application of WSSO with concurrent oral doses significantly reduced inflammation-induced edema, and repaired psoriatic lesions and associated histopathological scores. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines release was observed in WSSO-treated A431 and THP-1 cells, along with reduced NFκB expression. WSSO also inhibited reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. (4) Conclusion: Here we show that the fatty acids from W. somnifera seeds have strong anti-inflammatory properties, along with remarkable therapeutic potential on psoriasis-like skin etiologies.
Membrane association of a model CD4+ T‐cell vaccine antigen confers enhanced yet incomplete protection against murid herpesvirus‐4 infection

Vaccination against γ‐herpesviruses has proved difficult. CD4+ T cells are essential to contain infection, but how best to prime them and whether this can reduce viral loads remain unclear. To address these questions, we used ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen, delivering it with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to protect mice against OVA‐expressing murine herpesvirus‐4 (MuHV‐4). Membrane‐associated OVA (mOVA) was more effective than soluble OVA, both to prime CD4+ T cells and as an effector target. It was also a better target than an OVA epitope limited to infected cells, suggesting that protective CD4+ T cells recognize infected cell debris rather than infected cells themselves. While MCMV‐mOVA protected acutely against MuHV‐4‐mOVA, long‐term protection was incomplete, even when OVA‐specific CD8+ T cells and B cells were also primed. Thus, even optimized single‐target vaccines may poorly reduce long‐term γ‐herpesvirus infections.
A Numerical Investigation on the Collision Behavior of Polymer Droplets

Binary droplet collisions are a key mechanism in powder coatings production, as well as in spray combustion, ink-jet printing, and other spray processes. The collision behavior of the droplets using Newtonian and polymer liquids is studied numerically by the coupled level-set and volume of fluid (CLSVOF) method and adaptive mesh refinement (AMR). The deformation process, the internal flow fields, and the energy evolution of the droplets are discussed in detail. For binary polymer droplet collisions, compared with the Newtonian liquid, the maximum deformation is promoted. Due to the increased viscous dissipation, the colliding droplets coalesce more slowly. The stagnant flow region in the velocity field increases and the flow re-direction phenomenon is suppressed, so the polymer droplets coalesce permanently. As the surface tension of the polymer droplets decreases, the kinetic and the dissipated energy increases. The maximum deformation is promoted, and the coalescence speed of the droplets slows down. During the collision process, the dominant pressure inside the polymer droplets varies from positive pressure to negative pressure and then to positive pressure. At low surface tension, due to the non-synchronization in the movement of the interface front, the pressure is not smooth and distributes asymmetrically near the center of the droplets.
Annual Research Review: Ecological momentary assessment studies in child psychology and psychiatry.

BACKGROUND Enhancements in mobile phone technology allow the study of children and adolescents' everyday lives like never before. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) uses these advancements to allow in-depth measurements of links between context, behavior, and physiology in youths' everyday lives. FINDINGS A large and diverse literature now exists on using EMA to study mental and behavioral health among youth. Modern EMA methods are built on a rich tradition of idiographic inquiry focused on the intensive study of individuals. Studies of child and adolescent mental and behavioral health have used EMA to characterize lived experience, document naturalistic within-person processes and individual differences in these processes, measure familiar constructs in novel ways, and examine temporal order and dynamics in youths' everyday lives. CONCLUSIONS Ecological momentary assessment is feasible and reliable for studying the daily lives of youth. EMA can inform the development and augmentation of traditional and momentary intervention. Continued research and technological development in mobile intervention design and implementation, EMA-sensor integration, and complex real-time data analysis are needed to realize the potential of just-in-time adaptive intervention, which may allow researchers to reach high-risk youth with intervention content when and where it is needed most.
Supporting Information Title: Broadband Chiral Hybrid Plasmon Modes on Nanofingernail Substrates

Figure S1. (A) SEM images of nanofingernails fabricated at θ = (i) 30° (ii) 45° (iii) 60° and (iv) 75° (scale bar: 5μm). (B) Frequency distribution of nanofingernail heights at each angle. Nanofingernails uniformity depends on the regularity of the template. The extrinsically-chiral orientation of the nanofingernail is aligned via I-GLAD. (C) Nanofingernail height distributions. Comparison of expected and measured nanofingernail heights at each deposition angle.
RNA modifications and cancer

ABSTRACT RNA plays essential roles in not only translating nucleic acids into proteins, but also in gene regulation, environmental interactions and many human diseases. Nature uses over 150 chemical modifications to decorate RNA and diversify its functions. With the fast-growing RNA research in the burgeoning field of ‘epitranscriptome’, a term describes post-transcriptional RNA modifications that can dynamically change the transcriptome, it becomes clear that these modifications participate in modulating gene expression and controlling the cell fate, thereby igniting the new interests in RNA-based drug discovery. The dynamics of these RNA chemical modifications is orchestrated by coordinated actions of an array of writer, reader and eraser proteins. Deregulated expression of these RNA modifying proteins can lead to many human diseases including cancer. In this review, we highlight several critical modifications, namely m6A, m1A, m5C, inosine and pseudouridine, in both coding and non-coding RNAs. In parallel, we present a few other cancer-related tRNA and rRNA modifications. We further discuss their roles in cancer promotion or tumour suppression. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the biogenesis and turnover of these RNA modifications will be of great significance in the design and development of novel anticancer drugs.
Hematoma Hounsfield units and expansion of intracerebral hemorrhage: A potential marker of hemostatic clot contraction

Background Clot contraction reinforces hemostasis by providing an impermeable barrier and contractile force. Since computed tomography attenuation of intracerebral hemorrhage is largely determined by the density of red blood cells, clot contraction can be reflected in an increase of Hounsfield unit (HU) of hematoma. Aims We hypothesized that hematoma expansion is inversely associated with mean HU of intracerebral hemorrhage at presentation. Methods Eighty-nine consecutive spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage patients with onset to first computed tomography within 24 h were included. Hematomas were segmented using semiautomated planimetry to measure the volume and mean HU. Hematoma expansion was defined as an increase in hematoma volume by over 33% or 6 mL. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for hematoma expansion. The discrimination power of mean HU for hematoma expansion was assessed using C-statistic. Results The computed tomography attenuation of hematoma at presentation was 57.5 ± 3.3 HU and the volume was 16.9 ± 23.2 mL. Hematoma expansion occurred in 37.1% of patients. The computed tomography attenuation of hematoma was lower in patients with hematoma expansion than with no expansion (55.7 ± 2.9 HU vs. 58.6 ± 3.1 HU, p-value < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the mean HU of hematoma was inversely associated with hematoma expansion (adjusted odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–0.80). The C-statistic of the model with four known predictors increased from 0.66 to 0.84 after incorporating mean HU (p-value < 0.01). Conclusions Intracerebral hemorrhage with lower mean HU of hematoma at presentation is more likely to undergo hematoma expansion. This finding suggests the potential presence of clot contraction process that reinforces hemostasis in intracerebral hemorrhage.
Systematic review on Shenmai Injection treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy

AIM To evalutate the clinical effect and safety of Shenmai Injection(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma rubra,Ophiopogonis Radix) integrated with western medicines in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM). METHODS The Cochrane Library(Issue 10,2011),CNKI(1994 to 2011),CBM(1978 to 2011),WANFANG DATA(1982 to 2011),VIP(1989 to 2011),and with manual retrieval were used to identify randomized controlled trials(RCTs) about western medicines plus Shenmai Injection versus western medicines alone for DCM patients.The methodological quality was assessed and the data was extracted according to the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook and allocation concealment.Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 4.2. 2 software.RESULTS Nine eligible studies involving 688 DCM patients were included.The results of meta-analyses showed that western medicines plus Shenmai Injection therapy could precisely improve the general therapeutic effects %CI(1.13,1.33),P0.000 01],increase left ventricular ejection fraction %CI(0.77,1.98,P0.000 01]. CONCLUSION By comparison with western medicines alone,western medicines plus Shenmai Injection can improve the therapeutic effect on DCM patients without increasing adverse reaction.
Lying to appear honest.

People try to avoid appearing dishonest. Although efforts to avoid appearing dishonest can often reduce lying, we argue that, at times, the desire to appear honest can actually lead people to lie. We hypothesize that people may lie to appear honest in cases where the truth is highly favorable to them, such that telling the truth might make them appear dishonest to others. A series of studies provided robust evidence for our hypothesis. Lawyers, university students, and MTurk and Prolific participants said that they would have underreported extremely favorable outcomes in real-world scenarios (Studies 1a-1d). They did so to avoid appearing dishonest. Furthermore, in a novel behavioral paradigm involving a chance game with monetary prizes, participants who received in private a very large number of wins reported fewer wins than they received; they lied and incurred a monetary cost to avoid looking like liars (Studies 2a-2c). Finally, we show that people's concern that others would think that they have overreported is valid (Studies 3a-3b). We discuss our findings in relation to the literatures on dishonesty and on reputation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Current Perspectives on Circulating Tumor DNA, Precision Medicine, and Personalized Clinical Management of Cancer

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has recently emerged as a minimally invasive “liquid biopsy” tool in precision medicine. ctDNA-genomic DNA fragments that are released into the bloodstream after the active secretion of microvesicles or tumor cell lysis reflects tumor evolution and the genomic alterations present in primary and/or metastatic tumors. Notably, ctDNA analysis might allow the stratification of patients, the monitoring of the therapeutic response, and the establishment of an opportunity for early intervention independent of detection by imaging modalities or clinical symptoms. As oncology moves towards precision medicine, the information in ctDNA provides a means for the individual management of the patient based on their tumor's genetic profile. This review presents current evidence on the potential role for ctDNA in helping to guide individualized clinical treatment decisions for patients with melanoma, castration-resistant prostate cancer, breast cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, and non–small cell lung cancer.
Use of Nevelia Dermal-Epidermal Regenerative Template in the Management of Ischemic Diabetic Foot Postsurgical Wounds

The purpose of this cross-sectional study is evaluate the effectiveness of a dermal-epidermal substitute (DES) composed of 3-dimensional porous matrix of type 1, purified, stabilized, bovin-origin collagen (Nevelia, SYMATESE, Chaponost, France) without a subsequent skin graft in the treatment ischemic postsurgical diabetic foot ulcers. This study group was composed of a sample of consecutive diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia and postsurgical wounds. All patients received a preset limb salvage protocol including the application of the DES, but none received a skin graft. Patients were closely followed until wound healing or different outcome. The outcome measures were healing, nonhealing, major amputation, and death evaluated at 1 and 2 years of follow-up. Forty-one patients were included. The average postsurgical wound area was 69.6 ± 50 cm2. Twenty-one patients (51%) healed; 10 patients (24%) did not heal after 1 year of follow-up; however, all of them achieved a mean ulcer size reduction >50%; 7 patients (17%) were amputees; 3 patients (7.3%) died. In a later follow-up (2 years), wounds in 8 additional patients healed. Successful revascularization was an independent predictor of healing (hazard ratio = 5.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5-14-9; P = .0001), the postsurgical ulcer size (>50 cm2) was an independent predictor of nonhealing (hazard ratio = 6.2, 95% CI = 2.1-38.4; P = .0001) while recurrence of critical limb ischemia was an independent predictor of major amputation (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.1-4.5; P = .002). The DES composed of type 1 bovin-origin collagen is useful in the treatment of large postsurgical diabetic foot ulcers, even when the skin graft is not a suitable therapeutic option.
GC ends control topology of DNA G-quadruplexes and their cation-dependent assembly

Abstract GCn and GCnCG, where n = (G2AG4AG2), fold into well-defined, dimeric G-quadruplexes with unprecedented folding topologies in the presence of Na+ ions as revealed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Both G-quadruplexes exhibit unique combination of structural elements among which are two G-quartets, A(GGGG)A hexad and GCGC-quartet. Detailed structural characterization uncovered the crucial role of 5′-GC ends in formation of GCn and GCnCG G-quadruplexes. Folding in the presence of 15NH4+ and K+ ions leads to 3′–3′ stacking of terminal G-quartets of GCn G-quadruplexes, while 3′-GC overhangs in GCnCG prevent dimerization. Results of the present study expand repertoire of possible G-quadruplex structures. This knowledge will be useful in DNA sequence design for nanotechnological applications that may require specific folding topology and multimerization properties.
Stable Neutralization of a Virulence Factor in Bacteria Using Temperate Phage in the Mammalian Gut

With the increasing frequency of antibiotic resistance, it is critical to explore new therapeutic strategies for treating bacterial infections. Here, we use a temperate phage, i.e., one that integrates itself into the bacterial genome, to neutralize the expression of a virulence factor by modifying bacterial function at the genetic level. We show that Shiga toxin production can be significantly reduced in vitro and in the mammalian gut. Alternative to traditional applications of phage therapy that rely on killing bacteria, our genetics-based antivirulence approach introduces a new framework for treating bacterial infections. ABSTRACT Elimination or alteration of select members of the gut microbiota is key to therapeutic efficacy. However, the complexity of these microbial inhabitants makes it challenging to precisely target bacteria. Here, we deliver exogenous genes to specific bacteria by genomic integration of temperate phage for long-lasting modification. As a real-world therapeutic test, we engineered λ phage to transcriptionally repress Shiga toxin by using genetic hybrids between λ and other lambdoid phages to overcome resistance encoded by the virulence-expressing prophage. We show that a single dose of engineered phage propagates throughout the bacterial community and reduces Shiga toxin production in an enteric mouse model of infection without markedly affecting bacterial concentrations. Our work reveals a new framework for transferring functions to bacteria within their native environment. IMPORTANCE With the increasing frequency of antibiotic resistance, it is critical to explore new therapeutic strategies for treating bacterial infections. Here, we use a temperate phage, i.e., one that integrates itself into the bacterial genome, to neutralize the expression of a virulence factor by modifying bacterial function at the genetic level. We show that Shiga toxin production can be significantly reduced in vitro and in the mammalian gut. Alternative to traditional applications of phage therapy that rely on killing bacteria, our genetics-based antivirulence approach introduces a new framework for treating bacterial infections.
Back-spliced RNA from retrotransposon binds to centromere and regulates centromeric chromatin loops in maize

In most plants, centromeric DNA contains highly repetitive sequences, including tandem repeats and retrotransposons; however, the roles of these sequences in the structure and function of the centromere are unclear. Here, we found that multiple RNA sequences from centromeric retrotransposons (CRMs) were enriched in maize (Zea mays) centromeres, and back-spliced RNAs were generated from CRM1. We identified 3 types of CRM1-derived circular RNAs with the same back-splicing site based on the back-spliced sequences. These circular RNAs bound to the centromere through R-loops. Two R-loop sites inside a single circular RNA promoted the formation of chromatin loops in CRM1 regions. When RNA interference (RNAi) was used to target the back-splicing site of the circular CRM1 RNAs, the levels of R-loops and chromatin loops formed by these circular RNAs decreased, while the levels of R-loops produced by linear RNAs with similar binding sites increased. Linear RNAs with only one R-loop site could not promote chromatin loop formation. Higher levels of R-loops and lower levels of chromatin loops in the CRM1 regions of RNAi plants led to a reduced localization of the centromeric H3 variant (CENH3). Our work reveals centromeric chromatin organization by circular CRM1 RNAs via R-loops and chromatin loops, which suggested that CRM1 elements might help build a suitable chromatin environment during centromere evolution. These results highlight that R-loops are integral components of centromeric chromatin and proper centromere structure is essential for CENH3 localization.