Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of SEPI in German—A German Translation of the Sun Exposure and Protection Index

The Sun Exposure and Protection Index (SEPI) is a brief instrument for scoring of sun exposure habits and propensity to increase sun protection, previously validated in English and in Swedish, as well as in two different outdoor sun intensity environments (Australia and Northern Europe). The aim of the present study was to study reliability and validity of a German translated version of the SEPI to be used in German-speaking populations. Data was collected at University of Flensburg and at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences from November 2018 to April 2019. Participants (n = 205) filled out the SEPI and also a selection of corresponding questions from the Austrian Vienna UV Questionnaire in German. After three weeks, the participants filled out the SEPI once again in order to assess test–retest stability. Of the 205 participants completing the baseline questionnaire, 135 participants completed it once again after three weeks. Internal consistency, by Cronbach’s alpha, for the baseline responses was 0.70 (95% C.I: 0.63–0.76) for SEPI part 1 (sun exposure habits) and 0.72 (95% C.I: 0.66–0.78) for part 2 (propensity to increase sun protection). Test–retest stability was high, with weighted Kappa >0.6 for all items but one, and the instrument correlated well with the previously validated German-language UV Skin Risk Survey Questionnaire. In conclusion, the German version of SEPI can reliably be used for mapping of individual sun exposure patterns.
Development of Inflorescences in Cymbidium ( Orchidaceae)

Microsporogenesis in Cymbidium Sazanami‘Harunoumi’ was investigated cytologically and histochemically in relation to the abortion of inflorescences. The stage of microsporogenesis in basal flower buds was approximately correlated with flower stalk length. Sporogenous cell stage ended with the disappearance of mitotic figures at 4 cm stalk length. Premeiotic G1, S-G2 and meiotic prophase corresponded to 4-5 cm, 4-6 cm and 6-15 cm stalk length, respectively. Then meiotic figures of metaphase I to telophase II were observed in the flower bud on the flower stalk of 15.5 cm in length, but meiosis had not completed. Based on this result the duration of meiosis is also discussed.Effects of high temperature (30°C day/25°C night) on the growth and flowering of inflorescences varied with the developmental stage of flower buds at the treatment. Flower buds at sporogenous cell stage aborted without stalk elongation. Those at meiotic prophase or later stage normally developed to anthesis. In inflorescences at the premeiotic stage flower stalk elongation was induced, though their flower buds dropped without flowering. Therefore the premeiotic stage seemed to be critical for the effect of high temperature. However the critical phase of it could not be determined strictly.The stage at which abortion occurred was also examined by using the inflorescences kept at the high temperature throughout the experiment. Abortive stage of basal flower buds was tentatively estimated to be premeiotic G1 phase based on mitotic activity, nuclear DNA analysis and other floral features. This result showed that microsporogenesis did not proceed into the premeiotic DNA synthetic phase under con-tinuous high temperature condition and resulted in the abortion of the inflorescence.
Relationships between Diurnal Variation in R-R Interval and Feeding Behavior in the Horse

Heart rate, R-R intervals and the number of jaw movements were measured simultaneously for a 24-h period in an adult horse in a housed free-moving state. Feeding behavior was characterized by the number of jaw movements. Dropped beats could be monitored from a series of R-R intervals, and these dropped beats were regarded as second-degree A-V blocks . Thirty-eight dropped beats occurreduring a 24-h period. Second-degree A-V blocks frequently occurred in the night (p<0.001) and scarcely occurred in the active feeding periods (p<0.001). Moreover, the R-R interval periodically fluctuated at rest in the night. It was speculated that this periodical fluctuation in R-R interval is a respiratory sinus arrhythmia. This arrhythmia was not observed during feeding periods. A periodic violent fluctuation in the R-R intervals persisting for about 10 min was observed in the interval between feeding periods in the middle of the night, and this episode might occur during paradoxical sleep (REM sleep).
A Metabolomics Workflow for Analyzing Complex Biological Samples Using a Combined Method of Untargeted and Target-List Based Approaches

In the highly dynamic field of metabolomics, we have developed a method for the analysis of hydrophilic metabolites in various biological samples. Therefore, we used hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) for separation, combined with a high-resolution mass spectrometer (MS) with the aim of separating and analyzing a wide range of compounds. We used 41 reference standards with different chemical properties to develop an optimal chromatographic separation. MS analysis was performed with a set of pooled biological samples human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and human plasma. The raw data was processed in a first step with Compound Discoverer 3.1 (CD), a software tool for untargeted metabolomics with the aim to create a list of unknown compounds. In a second step, we combined the results obtained with our internally analyzed reference standard list to process the data along with the Lipid Data Analyzer 2.6 (LDA), a software tool for a targeted approach. In order to demonstrate the advantages of this combined target-list based and untargeted approach, we not only compared the relative standard deviation (%RSD) of the technical replicas of pooled plasma samples (n = 5) and pooled CSF samples (n = 3) with the results from CD, but also with XCMS Online, a well-known software tool for untargeted metabolomics studies. As a result of this study we could demonstrate with our HILIC-MS method that all standards could be either separated by chromatography, including isobaric leucine and isoleucine or with MS by different mass. We also showed that this combined approach benefits from improved precision compared to well-known metabolomics software tools such as CD and XCMS online. Within the pooled plasma samples processed by LDA 68% of the detected compounds had a %RSD of less than 25%, compared to CD and XCMS online (57% and 55%). The improvements of precision in the pooled CSF samples were even more pronounced, 83% had a %RSD of less than 25% compared to CD and XCMS online (28% and 8% compounds detected). Particularly for low concentration samples, this method showed a more precise peak area integration with its 3D algorithm and with the benefits of the LDAs graphical user interface for fast and easy manual curation of peak integration. The here-described method has the advantage that manual curation for larger batch measurements remains minimal due to the target list containing the information obtained by an untargeted approach.
A hidden Markov model for population‐level cervical cancer screening data

The Cancer Registry of Norway has been administrating a national cervical cancer screening program since 1992 by coordinating triennial cytology exam screenings for the female population between 25 and 69 years of age. Up to 80% of cancers are prevented through mass screening, but this comes at the expense of considerable screening activity and leads to overtreatment of clinically asymptomatic precancers. In this article, we present a continuous‐time, time‐inhomogeneous hidden Markov model which was developed to understand the screening process and cervical cancer carcinogenesis in detail. By leveraging 1.7 million individual's multivariate time‐series of medical exams performed over a 25‐year period, we simultaneously estimate all model parameters. We show that an age‐dependent model reflects the Norwegian screening program by comparing empirical survival curves from observed registry data and data simulated from the proposed model. The model can be generalized to include more detailed individual‐level covariates as well as new types of screening exams. By utilizing individual screening histories and covariate data, the proposed model shows potential for improving strategies for cancer screening programs by personalizing recommended screening intervals.
Multiple-Labeling of Oligonucleotide Probes for In Situ Hybridization

We describe here a method to synthesize probes for in situ hybridization. This method provides more efficient incorporation of the reporter molecules such as 35S-UTP or digoxigenin-UTP into the oligonucleotide probes than other methods. Two 99-base oligonucleotides complementary to each other were obtained as purified and lyophilized products (>99%). These oligonucleotides were designed as follows. The sequence of 77 bases derived from reported cDNA sequence in the literature was flanked by the restriction sites of EcoR I and Hind III (6 bases for each) with extended random sequences of 5 bases at both ends (total 99 bases). Both oligonucleotides were then annealed and digested with EcoR I and Hind III. The gel-purified EcoR I/ Hind III-cut DNA fragment was cloned into the pGEM4Z vector. The resultant plasmid DNA was linearized with EcoR I or Hind III and used as a template for the synthesis of labeled sense or antisense riboprobes. The amelogenin probes prepared by this method clearly distinguished the localized expression of mRNA when applied to in situ hybridization.
Fabrication of Taste-Masked Donut-Shaped Tablets Via Fused Filament Fabrication 3D Printing Paired with Hot-Melt Extrusion Techniques

The objective of this work was to develop taste-masked donut-shaped tablet formulations utilizing fused filament fabrication three-dimensional printing paired with hot-melt extrusion techniques. Caffeine citrate was used as the model drug for its bitter taste, and a 3-point bend test was performed to assess the printability of filaments. The stiffness constant was calculated to represent the printability by fitting the breaking distances and stress data into Hooke’s law. The formulations without Eudragit E PO (F6) and with Eudragit E PO (F7) filaments exhibited the desired hardness with a “k” value of 48.30 ± 3.52 and 45.47 ± 3.51 g/mm3 (n = 10), respectively, and were successfully printed. The donut-shaped tablets were 3D printed with 10, 50, and 100% infill densities. In vitro dissolution studies were performed in simulated salivary fluid (pH 6.8, artificial saliva) to evaluate the taste-masking efficiency of the printed donuts. In the first minute, the concentrations of caffeine citrate observed in the dissolution media from all the printed donuts were less than the bitter threshold of caffeine citrate (0.25 mg/mL). Formulation F7, which contained Eudragit E PO copolymer, demonstrated better taste-masking efficiency than formulation F6. Furthermore, both formulations F6 and F7 demonstrated immediate drug release profiles in gastric medium (10% infill, > 80% release within 1 h). Taste-masked caffeine citrate formulations were successfully developed with donut shapes, which will enhance appeal in pediatric populations and increase compliance and patient acceptance of the dosage form.
Detecting technical anomalies in high-frequency water-quality data using Artificial Neural Networks.

Anomaly detection (AD) in high-volume environmental data requires one to tackle a series of challenges associated with the typical low frequency of anomalous events, the broad-range of possible anomaly types and local non-stationary environmental conditions, suggesting the need for flexible statistical methods that are able to cope with unbalanced high-volume data problems. Here, we aimed to detect anomalies caused by technical errors in water-quality (turbidity and conductivity) data collected by automated in-situ sensors deployed in contrasting riverine and estuarine environments. We first applied a range of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) that differed in both learning method and hyper-parameter values, then calibrated models using a Bayesian multi-objective optimisation procedure, and selected and evaluated the "best" model for each water-quality variable, environment and anomaly type. We found that semi-supervised classification was better able to detect sudden spikes, sudden shifts and small sudden spikes whereas supervised classification had higher accuracy for predicting long-term anomalies associated with drifts and periods of otherwise unexplained high-variability.
Characterization of hsv glycoprotein-glycosaminoglycan interactions

The two herpes simplex virus (HSV) serotypes, HSV-1 and H S V 2 , demonstrate different tissue tropisms in the human host. There is increasing evidence that the H S V serotypes may enter host cells differently, which may account, in part, for the different behaviours of these closely related viruses. Initial adsorption of H S V to the host cell is mediated by the interaction of viral glycoproteins with cell surface glycosaminoglycans such as heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). To investigate the contribution of various cell surface components in the infection pathway, we isolated a mutant cell line, sog9, which is unable to synthesize glycosaminoglycans (Banfield et al., 1995a). Although HSV-1 and H S V 2 infection of sog9 cells is diminished, the cells are still infected at about 0.5% efficiency, which suggests that these cells normally express at least one nonglycosaminoglycan receptor. Sog9 cells were used to test whether glycosaminoglycan analogs, such as dextran sulfate (DS), could functionally substitute for cellular glycosaminoglycans to initiate H S V infection. High-molecular-weight DS added either prior to or during inoculation stimulated HSV-1 but not H S V 2 infection by up to 35-fold. B y contrast, D S added after viral adsorption had no effect on infection efficiency. Moreover, DS stimulated HSV-1 infection at 4°C, indicating that this compound impinged on an early, energy-independent step in infection. Using radiolabeled virus, it was demonstrated that HSV-1 is more efficient than H S V 2 in adsorbing to DS immobilized on microtiter wells. This raised the possibility that only HSV-1 could engage additional receptors to initiate infection in the presence of DS . To determine which viral component(s) facilitated D S stimulation, a panel of intertypic recombinants and deletion mutant viruses was investigated. These assays showed that DS stimulation of infection is mediated primarily by glycoprotein B (gB-1) and that this interaction was mediated by a domain other than the heparin-binding region in gB-1. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence that a principle role for cell surface glycosaminoglycans in H S V infection is to provide an efficient matrix for virus adsorption. To investigate further the interactions of H S V with cell surface glycosaminoglycans, a novel cell line, s o g 9 E X T l , was used in this study. The
Distinguishing Nulliparous from Parous Female Culex tarsalis by Examination of the Ovarian Tracheation

Techniques utilized by Russian workers for examining the tracheation of the ovaries of Anopheles to determine whether oviposition had occurred or not were applied to Culex tarsalis . Skeins or coils of tracheae were found abundantly in the ovaries of nulliparous C. tarsalis , but were rare in the ovaries of females that had deposited large rafts. Autogenous females depositing only small rafts had an intermediate number of knots of ovarian tracheoles. These criteria were utilized to diagnose a test series of paired ovaries from 50 females, which included approximately equal numbers of nulliparous and parous, blood-fed individuals. In this test a facility was demonstrated for distinguishing nulliparous from parous, bloodfed females, but some doubtful specimens had to he assigned to an intermediate category.
Preparation and Thermomechanical Properties of Ketone Mesogenic Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resin Composites with Functionalized Boron Nitride

In order to enhance the thermomechanical behaviors of epoxy molding compounds, the hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) fillers were incorporated in a ketone mesogenic liquid crystalline epoxy (K–LCE) matrix to prepare a high-performance epoxy composites. The h-BN was modified by surface coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The grafting of silane molecules onto the surface of BN fillers improved the compatibility and homogeneous dispersion state of BN fillers in the K–LCE matrix with a strong interface interaction. The surface-modified BN fillers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermomechanical properties and morphologies of K–LCE/BN composites loading with different contents of modified BN fillers, ranging from 0.50 to 5.00 wt%, were investigated. These results show that modified BN fillers uniformly dispersed in K–LCE matrix, contributing to the enhancement in storage modulus, glass transition temperatures, impact strength and reduction in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The thermal stability and char yield of the K–LCE/BN composites were increased by increasing the amount of modified BN fillers and the thermal decomposition temperatures of composites were over 370 °C. The thermal conductivity of the K–LCE/BN composites was up to 0.6 W/m·K, for LC epoxy filled with 5.00-wt%-modified BN fillers. Furthermore, the K–LCE/BN composites have excellent thermal and mechanical properties compared to those of the DGEBA/BN composites.
Atrioventricular Block in Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

In this study, we describe the incidence of AVB in children with MIS-C. BACKGROUND: Children are at risk for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Cardiovascular complications, including ventricular dysfunction and coronary dilation, are frequent, but there are limited data on arrhythmic complications. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of children and young adults aged ≤21 years admitted with MIS-C. Demographic characteristics, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram findings, and hospital course were described. RESULTS: Among 25 patients admitted with MIS-C (60% male; median age 9.7 [interquartile range 2.7–15.0] years), ECG anomalies were found in 14 (56%). First-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) was seen in 5 (20%) patients a median of 6 (interquartile range 5–8) days after onset of fever and progressed to second- or third-degree AVB in 4 patients. No patient required intervention for AVB. All patients with AVB were admitted to the ICU (before onset of AVB) and had ventricular dysfunction on echocardiograms. All patients with second- or third-degree AVB had elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels, whereas the patient with first-degree AVB had a normal brain natriuretic peptide level. No patient with AVB had an elevated troponin level. QTc prolongation was seen in 7 patients (28%), and nonspecific ST segment changes were seen in 14 patients (56%). Ectopic atrial tachycardia was observed in 1 patient, and none developed ventricular arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: Children with MIS-C are at risk for atrioventricular conduction disease, especially those who require ICU admission and have ventricular dysfunction. ECGs should be monitored for evidence of PR prolongation. Continuous telemetry may be required in patients with evidence of first-degree AVB because of risk of progression to high-grade AVB.
Inhibition of Histone H3K27 Demethylases Inactivates Brachyury (TBXT) and Promotes Chordoma Cell Death

Pharmacologic inhibition of H3K27-demethylases in human chordoma cells promotes epigenetic silencing of oncogenic TBXT, alters gene networks critical to survival, and represents a potential novel therapy. Expression of the transcription factor brachyury (TBXT) is normally restricted to the embryo, and its silencing is epigenetically regulated. TBXT promotes mesenchymal transition in a subset of common carcinomas, and in chordoma, a rare cancer showing notochordal differentiation, TBXT acts as a putative oncogene. We hypothesized that TBXT expression is controlled through epigenetic inhibition to promote chordoma cell death. Screening of five human chordoma cell lines revealed that pharmacologic inhibition of the histone 3 lysine 27 demethylases KDM6A (UTX) and KDM6B (JMJD3) leads to cell death. This effect was phenocopied by dual genetic inactivation of KDM6A/B using CRISPR/Cas9. Inhibition of KDM6A/B with a novel compound KDOBA67 led to a genome-wide increase in repressive H3K27me3 marks with concomitant reduction in active H3K27ac, H3K9ac, and H3K4me3 marks. TBXT was a KDM6A/B target gene, and chromatin changes at TBXT following KDOBA67 treatment were associated with a reduction in TBXT protein levels in all models tested, including primary patient-derived cultures. In all models tested, KDOBA67 treatment downregulated expression of a network of transcription factors critical for chordoma survival and upregulated pathways dominated by ATF4-driven stress and proapoptotic responses. Blocking the AFT4 stress response did not prevent suppression of TBXT and induction of cell death, but ectopic overexpression of TBXT increased viability, therefore implicating TBXT as a potential therapeutic target of H3K27 demethylase inhibitors in chordoma. Our work highlights how knowledge of normal processes in fetal development can provide insight into tumorigenesis and identify novel therapeutic approaches. Significance: Pharmacologic inhibition of H3K27-demethylases in human chordoma cells promotes epigenetic silencing of oncogenic TBXT, alters gene networks critical to survival, and represents a potential novel therapy.
Woeseiales transcriptional response to shallow burial in Arctic fjord surface sediment

Distinct lineages of Gammaproteobacteria clade Woeseiales are globally distributed in marine sediments, based on metagenomic and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Yet little is known about why they are dominant or their ecological role in Arctic fjord sediments, where glacial retreat is rapidly imposing change. This study combined 16S rRNA gene analysis, metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), and genome-resolved metatranscriptomics uncovered the in situ abundance and transcriptional activity of Woeseiales with burial in four shallow sediment sites of Kongsfjorden and Van Keulenfjorden of Svalbard (79°N). We present five novel Woeseiales MAGs and show transcriptional evidence for metabolic plasticity during burial, including sulfur oxidation with reverse dissimilatory sulfite reductase (dsrAB) down to 4 cm depth and nitrite reduction down to 6 cm depth. A single stress protein, spore protein SP21 (hspA), had a tenfold higher mRNA abundance than any other transcript, and was a hundredfold higher on average than other transcripts. At three out of the four sites, SP21 transcript abundance increased with depth, while total mRNA abundance and richness decreased, indicating a shift in investment from metabolism and other cellular processes to build-up of spore protein SP21. The SP21 gene in MAGs was often flanked by genes involved in membrane-associated stress response. The ability of Woeseiales to shift from sulfur oxidation to nitrite reduction with burial into marine sediments with decreasing access to overlying oxic bottom waters, as well as enter into a dormant state dominated by SP21, may account for its ubiquity and high abundance in marine sediments worldwide, including those of the rapidly shifting Arctic.