Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis

Background:Numerous studies showed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms were linked with the regularity of stroke, but the results remained controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the associations between VEGF gene polymorphisms and the risk of stroke. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Wed of Science, The Cochrane Library, Elsevier, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, WanFang Data, VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Science paper Online was conducted. Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of associations. Begger funnel plot and Egger test were used to estimate the publication bias of included studies. Heterogeneity assumption was assessed by Cochran Chi-squared-based Qstatistic test and I test. Results:Thirteen publications including 23 trails with a total of 3794 stroke patients and 3094 control subjects were enrolled. About 3747 cases and 2868 controls for +936C/T, 2134 cases and 1424 controls for 2578C/A, and 2187 cases and 1650 controls for 1154G/A were examined, respectively. The results indicated that VEGF +936C/T (T vs C, OR=1.19, 95% CI=1.01–1.40) or 2578C/A (A vs C, OR=1.13, 95% CI=1.02–1.27) was positively associated with the risk of stroke, whereas there was no association between 1154G/A (A vs G, OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.87–1.11) polymorphism and stroke risk in our study. Among the subgroup analyses on ethnicity, the results showed that VEGF +936C/T was an increased risk of stroke in Asian population (T vs C, OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.01–1.44), but not 1154G/A. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that VEGF +936C/T and 2578C/Amight be related to the risk of stroke, especially in the Asian population, but not 1154G/A. Abbreviations: CI= confidence interval, HWE=Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, LDR= ligase detection reaction, MALDI-TOFMS= matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, NOS=Newcastle Ottawa scale, OR= odds ratio, PCRRFLP = polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, SNPs = single-nucleotide polymorphisms, VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor.
Relationship between myocardial bridge compression severity and haemodynamic perturbations

Abstract Objectives: This study aims to examine the alteration in coronary haemodynamics with increasing the severity of vessel compression caused by myocardial bridging (MB). Methods: Angiography and intravascular ultrasound were performed in 10 patients with MB with varying severities of systolic compression in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Computer models of MB were developed and transient computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to derive distribution of blood residence time and shear stress. Results: With increasing the severity of bridge compression, a decreasing trend was observed in the shear stress over proximal segment whereas an increasing trend was found in the shear stress over bridge segment. When patients were divided into 2 groups based on the average systolic vessel compression in the whole cohort (%CRave = 27.38), patients with bridges with major systolic compression (>%CRave) had smaller shear stress and higher residence time in the proximal segment compared to those with bridges with minor systolic compression (<%CRave) (0.37 ± 0.23 vs 0.69 ± 0.29 Pa and 0.0037 ± 0.0069 vs 0.022 ± 0.0094 s). In contrast, patients with bridges with major systolic compression had greater shear stress in the bridge segment compared to those with bridges with minor systolic compression (2.49 ± 2.06 vs 1.13 ± 0.89 Pa). No significant difference was found in the distal shear stress of patients with bridges with major and minor systolic compression. Conclusion: Our findings revealed a direct relationship between the severity of systolic compression of MB and haemodynamic perturbations in the proximal segment such that the increased systolic vessel compression was associated with decreased shear stress and increased blood residence time.
Design and analysis of a quad‐band substrate‐integrated‐waveguide cavity backed slot antenna for 5G applications

A planar and compact substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity backed antenna and a 2 × 2 multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) antenna are presented in this study. The proposed antenna is fed by a grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) to SIW type transition and planned to be used for millimeter‐wave (mm‐wave) fifth generation (5G) wireless communications that operates at 28, 38, 45, and 60 GHz frequency bands. Moreover, the measured impedance bandwidth (|S11| ≤ − 10 dB) of the antenna covers 27.55 to 29.36, 37.41 to 38.5, 44.14 to 46.19, and 57.57 to 62.32 GHz bands and confirms the quad‐band characteristic. Omni‐directional radiation characteristics are observed in the far‐field radiation pattern measurements of the antenna over the entire operating frequency. The reported antenna is compact in size (9.7 × 13.3 × 0.6 mm3) and the gain values at each resonance frequency are measured as 3.26, 3.28, 3.34, and 4.51 dBi, respectively. Furthermore, the MIMO antenna performance is evaluated in terms of isolation, envelope correlation coefficient and diversity gain.
Stock Return, Volume and Volatility in the EGARCH model

I use EGARCH model to study the asymmetric impact of negative and positive shocks on stock return volatility. I find the asymmetric effects exist and the impact on volatility of a negative shock is greater than that of a positive shock. Furthermore, I examine the dynamic relationship between returns, volume and volatility of stock index by introducing trading volume as an exogenous variable into the EGARCH model. The results indicate that trading volume contributes some information to the returns processes of stock indexes. However, the persistence of volatility remains even after incorporating lagged volume effects, which are proxies for information flow. Granger causality tests demonstrate stronger evidence of returns causing volume than volume causing returns.
The effect of lithium chloride on BDNF, NT3, and their receptor mRNA levels in the spinal contusion rat models

ABSTRACT Objective: Nowadays, there seems to be no decisive way for treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Extensive cell death (apoptosis and necrosis) occurring in SCI can cause considerable progressive sensorimotor disabilities. Preventing cell death by improving endogenous regenerative capability could an effective strategy for the treatment of SCI. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of lithium chloride (LiCl) on the cell survival through overexpression of BDNF and NT3 mRNA level and their receptors in the contusion rat models. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups (eight rats/group) including: contused animals (the non-treatment group); contused animals (the control group) which received laminectomy; contused animals received normal saline (vehicle)and contused animals received intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg LiCl three days after surgery. Injection continued for 14 days as treatment. Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale was used to assess the motor function of the rats. To evaluate the histopathological and gene expression analysis, rats were sacrificed 28 days after surgery. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to obtain the relative levels of mRNA for BDNF, NT3 and their receptors. Results: The results showed LiCl ameliorates BBB scores via up-regulation of BDNF and TrkB receptors. Also, histological analysis showed that the numerical density per area of TUNEL- positive cells and the percentage of cavity significantly decreased in the LiCl-treated group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that LiCl protects neural cells and effectively enhances locomotor function, which was done through up-regulation of endogenous BDNF expression in rats with SCI. Abbreviations: SCI: spinal cord injury; LiCl: lithium chloride; BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; NT3: Neurotrophin-3; BBB: Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan; TrkB: Tropomyosin receptor kinase B; TUNEL: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling.
Source Apportionment of Fine Organic and Inorganic Atmospheric Aerosol in an Urban Background Area in Greece

Fine particulate matter (PM) originates from various emission sources and physicochemical processes. Quantification of the sources of PM is an important step during the planning of efficient mitigation strategies and the investigation of the potential risks to human health. Usually, source apportionment studies focus either on the organic or on the inorganic fraction of PM. In this study that took place in Patras, Greece, we address both PM fractions by combining measurements from a range of on- and off-line techniques, including elemental composition, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) measurements, and high-resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometry (AMS) from different techniques. Six fine PM2.5 sources were identified based on the off-line measurements: secondary sulfate (34%), biomass burning (15%), exhaust traffic emissions (13%), nonexhaust traffic emissions (12%), mineral dust (10%), and sea salt (5%). The analysis of the AMS spectra quantified five factors: two oxygenated organic aerosols (OOA) factors (an OOA and a marine-related OOA, 52% of the total organic aerosols (OA)), cooking OA (COA, 11%) and two biomass burning OA (BBOA-I and BBOA-II, 37% in total) factors. The results of the two methods were synthesized, showcasing the complementarity of the two methodologies for fine PM source identification. The synthesis suggests that the contribution of biomass burning is quite robust, but that the exhaust traffic emissions are not due to local sources and may also include secondary OA from other sources.
Associations of 3-year-olds’ Block-building Complexity with Later Spatial and Mathematical Skills

ABSTRACT Block-building skills at age 3 are related to spatial skills at age 5 and spatial skills in grade school are linked to later success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Though studies have focused on block-building behaviors and design complexity, few have examined these variables in relation to future spatial and mathematical skills or have considered how children go about copying the model in detail. This study coded 3-year-olds’ (N = 102) block-building behaviors and structural complexity on 3-D trials of the Test of Spatial Assembly (TOSA). It explored whether individual differences in children’s building behaviors and the complexity of their designs related to accuracy in copying the model block structures or their spatial and mathematical skills at ages 4 and 5. Our findings reveal that block-building behaviors were associated with concurrent and later spatial skills while structural complexity was associated with concurrent and later spatial skills as well as concurrent mathematics skills. Future work might teach children to engage in the apparently successful block-building strategies examined in this research to evaluate a potential causal mechanism.
How could a difference of 0.5°C in global warming modify the mean and extreme climate conditions around Antarctica?

This paper quantifies the potential benefit of limiting the global warming to 1.5°C above the preindustrial level on the high‐latitude climate of the Southern Hemisphere compared to 2.0°C and above. A set of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 global climate model experiments is used in order to determine the mean projected changes in surface air temperature, sea level pressure, surface winds and sea ice distribution over and around Antarctica. Alongside, changes in selected variables related to extremes (such as the annual number of extremely cold mornings and extremely cold days) are also quantified as a function of the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) considered reaching the given warming threshold. Physical mechanisms for the projected variations in sea ice are proposed, including surface air temperature, changes in low‐level air temperature advection and meridional winds. Results show that there would be significant differences in the atmospheric and sea ice variable changes depending on the warming threshold and RCP considered, and that indeed keeping the global warming under 1.5°C could have a noticeable impact particularly on the distribution of sea ice over the Southern Ocean.
Development of a user-friendly guideline for data analysis and sampling design strategy

Within the H2020 INSIDER project, the main objective of work package 3 (WP3) is to draft a sampling guide for initial nuclear site characterization in constraint environments, before decommissioning, based on a statistical approach. The second task of WP3 aims at developing a strategy for sampling in the field of initial nuclear site characterization in view of decommissioning, with the most important goal to guide the end user to appropriate statistical methods (including, but not limited to those identified during the first overview task) to use for data analysis and sampling design. To aid the end user in applying this strategy, a user-friendly application for guiding the end user through the contents of the strategy and the initial characterization process is also developed.
Do Higher-Rated or Enhancing ESG of Firms Enhance Their Long–Term Sustainability? Evidence from Market Returns in Korea

In this study, we investigate the effects of the level and changes in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) rating, an index developed to represent a firm’s long-term sustainability, on the stock market returns of Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) listed firms over the period 2011–2018. We find that the changes in ESG ratings have statistically significant short-term effects on their abnormal returns. However, their impacts on short-term abnormal returns decrease some days after the disclosure and become negative in the third year. The results imply that investors in the Korean stock market do not view corporate social responsibility activities as a means of supporting their long-term sustainability, judging from the firm value for a long period after their rating. Rather, based on the effects of the changes on coefficient signs over the period—positive in the year and the year after, no effects in the following year, and negative in the third year and later—we can infer that the short-term oriented market sentiments of investors might worsen their long-term stock performances, thus deteriorating their sustainability and growth opportunities.
Epidemiology of Brain Death in Pediatric Intensive Care Units in the United States

Importance Guidelines for declaration of brain death in children were revised in 2011 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Child Neurology Society. Despite widespread medical, legal, and ethical acceptance, ongoing controversies exist with regard to the concept of brain death and the procedures for its determination. Objectives To determine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients declared brain dead in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants This study involved the abstraction of all patient deaths from the Virtual Pediatric Systems national multicenter database between January 1, 2012, and June 30, 2017. All patients who died in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) were included. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient demographics, preillness developmental status, severity of illness, cause of death, PICU medical and physical length of stay, and organ donation status, as well as comparison between patients who were declared brain dead vs those who sustained cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary death. Results Of the 15 344 patients who died, 3170 (20.7%) were declared brain dead; 1861 of these patients (58.7%) were male, and 1401 (44.2%) were between 2 and 12 years of age. There was a linear association between PICU size and number of patients declared brain dead per year, with an increase of 4.27 patients (95% CI, 3.46-5.08) per 1000-patient increase in discharges (P < .001). The median (interquartile range) of patients declared brain dead per year ranged from 1 (0-3) in smaller PICUs (defined as those with <500 discharges per year) to 10 (7-15) for larger PICUs (those with 2000-4000 discharges per year). The most common causative mechanisms of brain death were hypoxic-ischemic injury owing to cardiac arrest (1672 of 3170 [52.7%]), shock and/or respiratory arrest without cardiac arrest (399 of 3170 [12.6%]), and traumatic brain injury (634 of 3170 [20.0%]). Most patients declared brain dead (681 of 807 [84.4%]) did not have preexisting neurological dysfunction. Patients who were organ donors (1568 of 3144 [49.9%]) remained in the PICU longer after declaration of brain death compared with those who were not donors (median [interquartile range], 29 [6-41] hours vs 4 [1-8] hours; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance Brain death occurred in one-fifth of PICU deaths. Most children declared brain dead had no preexisting neurological dysfunction and had an acute hypoxic-ischemic or traumatic brain injury. Brain death determinations are infrequent, even in large PICUs, emphasizing the importance of ongoing education for medical professionals and standardization of protocols to ensure diagnostic accuracy and consistency.
Phylogeny analysis of a wild species of Paeonia lactiflora from Henan province based on the complete chloroplast genome

Abstract The complete chloroplast genome sequence of a wild Paeonia lactiflora species from Henan province, Paeonia obovata subsp. Willmottiae (Stapf) D. Y. Hong et K. Y. Pan, was applied to support the difference of Paeonia lactiflora by next-generation sequencing. The length of complete chloroplast genome is 152,660 bp, including a large single-copy (LSC) region, a small single-copy (SSC) region, and a pair of identical inverted repeat (IR) regions (IRa and IRb) with length of 84,363 bp, 16,983 bp and 25,657 bp, respectively. Altogether, 115 genes in chloroplast genome were annotated including 81 protein-encoding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Paeonia obovata subsp. Willmottiae (Stapf) D. Y. Hong et K. Y. Pan clustered in the clade of Paeonia lactiflora showed a closer relationship with Paeonia sect. Mudan rather than Paeonia Brownii.
The establishment and characterization of an improved cell-free assay for exocytosis in neuroendocrine PC12 cells

Regulated exocytosis in neurons and neuroendocrine cells is mediated by the SNARE proteins synaptobrevin/VAMP, SNAP-25, and syntaxin 1. During fusion, these SNAREs form a stable complex that is disassembled by the concerted action of α-SNAP and the AAA-ATPase NSF.During this work I have developed a cell-free assay for exocytosis. Ultrasonic disruption of PC12 cells grown on coated coverslips was performed on the microscope stage in a small chamber and results in the generation membrane lawns that could be triggered with Ca2+ to exocytose their eGFP content. Reduction of the delay between the loss of cell integrity and the measurement of exocytosis reduced biochemical run-down on membranes. With this assay it was possible to access and to probe the late steps in the exocytotic pathway by applying a wide range of various factors onto freshly made lawns that had resembled intact membranes.In these studies I addressed the questions of cytosol and ATP-Mg-dependence in this assay and could conclude that in agreement with preceding observations on permeabilized cells, ATP-Mg was vitally required to enable the system to respond to Ca2+-trigger. However, the system described in this thesis was not dependent on cytosol what made it different from noradrenaline release in permeabilized PC12 cells. In the following study, I have used the above cell-free assay to show that Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of pre- docked secretory granules was independent of NSF but it was potently inhibited by addition of recombinant α-SNAP. Furthermore, I found that inhibition correlated with binding of α-SNAP to small clusters on the inside of the plasma membrane, which co-localized with syntaxin 1. Binding was prevented by incubation with botulinum neurotoxin C1, a protease selectively cleaving syntaxin 1. Both membrane binding and inhibition of exocytosis were abolished in the presence of NSF but not when an α-SNAP mutant defective in NSF-activation was used. I could conclude that α-SNAP inhibits exocytosis by preventing the interaction of syntaxin with its SNARE partners, revealing an unexpected site of action for α-SNAP in the exocytotic pathway.
The Association Between Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis Risk: 1,25(OH)2D3 Induces Super-Enhancers Bound by VDR

A super-enhancer (SE) is a cluster of enhancers with a relatively high density of particular chromatin features. SEs typically regulate key genes that can determine cell identity and differentiation. Identifying SEs and their effects may be critical in predicting key regulatory genes, such as master transcription factor genes or oncogenes. Signal inducible SEs are dense stretches of signal terminal transcription factor (TF) binding regions, and may modulate the interaction between environmental factors (e.g., Vitamin D) and genetic factors (i.e., risk variants) in complex diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). As a complex autoimmune disease, the etiology and progression of MS, including the interaction between Vitamin D and MS risk variants, is still unclear and can be explored from the aspect of signal SEs. Vitamin D [with its active form: 1,25(OH)2D3], is an environmental risk factor for MS. It binds the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and regulates gene expression. This study explores the association between VDR super-enhancers (VSEs) and MS risk variants. Firstly, we reanalyse public ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data to classify VSEs into three categories according to their combinations of persistent and secondary VDR binding. Secondly, we indicate the genes with VSE regions that are near MS risk variants. Furthermore, we find that MS risk variants are enriched in VSE regions, and we indicate some genes with a VSE overlapping MS risk variant for further exploration. We also find two clusters of genes from the set of genes showing correlation of expression patterns with the MS risk gene ZMIZ1 that appear to be regulated by VSEs in THP-1 cells. It is the first time that VSEs have been analyzed, and we directly connect the genetic risk factors for MS risk with Vitamin D based on VSEs.