Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomical Study of Domain Rescue of Palatal Length in Patients With a Wide Cleft Palate: Buccal Flap Reconstruction in Primary Palatoplasty

Background This study characterizes the potential loss of velar length in patients with a wide cleft and rescue of this loss of domain by local flap reconstruction, providing anatomic evidence in support of primary lengthening of the soft palate during palatoplasty. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients with a cleft palate at least 10mm in width, who underwent primary palatoplasty with a buccal flap prior to 18 months of age over a 2-year period. All patients underwent primary palatoplasty with horizontal transection of the nasal mucosa, which was performed after nasal mucosa repair, but prior to muscular reconstruction. The resulting palatal lengthening was measured and the mucosal defect was reconstructed with a buccal flap. Results Of the 22 patients included, 3 (13.6%) had a history of Pierre Robin sequence, and 5 (22.7%) had an associated syndrome. No patients had a Veau I cleft, 7 (31.8%) had a Veau II, 12 (54.5%) had a Veau III, and 3 had (13.6%) a Veau IV cleft. All patients had a right buccal flap during primary palatoplasty. The mean cleft width at the posterior nasal spine was 10.6 ± 2.82mm, and mean lengthening of the velum after horizontal transection of the nasal mucosa closure was 10.5 ± 2.23mm. There were 2 (9.1%) fistulas, 1 (4.5%) wound dehiscence, 1 (4.5%) 30-day readmission, and no bleeding complications. Conclusions Patients with a wide cleft palate have a potential loss of 1cm velar length. The buccal flap can rescue the loss of domain in palatal length, and potentially improve palatal excursion.
Efficacy of prolonged application of low-level laser therapy combined with exercise in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled double-blind study

Objectives To investigate the effect of prolonged low-level laser therapy application combined with exercise on pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Design A randomized controlled trial. Setting Special rehabilitation services. Subjects Forty-three participants with knee osteoarthritis. Intervention Following initial assessment, participants were randomly allocated to the Laser group (n = 22, 44 knees) and received low-level laser therapy while the Placebo group (n = 21, 42 knees) received placebo therapy three times a week for 3 weeks. Both groups then received low-level laser therapy combined with exercise three times a week for the following 8 weeks. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was change in knee pain and disability (Lequesne). Secondary outcomes included change in mobility (Timed Up and Go test), range of motion (goniometer), muscular strength (dynamometer), activity (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis questionnaire), and medication intake and relief. Results Mean (SD) age of participants was 63.02 (9.9) years. Pain scores at baseline, 3 weeks, 11 weeks, and 6 months follow-up were 9.1 (1.3), 2.6 (2.3), 0.2 (0.9), and 0.2 (0.8) for the Laser group and 9.5 (8.0), 7.7 (5.3), 5.6 (2.4), and 7.4 (5.0) for the Placebo group, respectively. Disability scores at baseline, 3 weeks, 11 weeks, and 6 months follow-up were 14.9 (4.7), 7.6 (4.8), 3.9 (4.2), and 3.5 (4.1) for the Laser group and 17.8 (14.7), 15.2 (11.5), 11.6 (6.4), and 15.8 (11.9) for the Placebo Group, respectively. Conclusion In participants with osteoarthritis of the knee, the isolated application of low-level laser therapy in the initial 3 weeks and combined with exercises in the final 8 weeks reduced pain, disability, and intake of medication over a 6-month period.
Production of 5‐aminolevulinic acid from hydrolysates of cassava residue and fish waste by engineered Bacillus cereus PT1

The economical production of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has recently received increasing attention for its extensive use in agriculture. In this study, a strain of Bacillus cereus PT1 could initially produce ALA at a titre of 251.72 mg/L by using a hydrolysate mixture of low‐cost cassava residue and fish waste. The integration of endogenous hemA encoding glutamyl‐tRNA reductase led to a 39.30% increase in ALA production. Moreover, improving cell permeability by deletion of the LytR‐CpsA‐Psr (LCP) family gene tagU led to a further increase of 59.73% in ALA production. Finally, the engineered strain B. cereus PT1‐hemA‐ΔtagU produced 2.62 g/L of ALA from the previously mentioned hydrolysate mixture in a 7‐L bioreactor. In a pot experiment, foliar spray of the ALA produced by B. cereus PT1‐hemA‐ΔtagU from the hydrolysates increased salt tolerance of cucumber by improving chlorophyll content and catalase activity, while decreasing malondialdehyde content. Overall, this study demonstrated an economic way to produce ALA using a microbial platform and evidenced the potential of ALA in agricultural application.
Association between C-reactive protein levels and development of post-stroke depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims Different prospective cohort studies have focused on the C-reactive protein (ie, a pentameric protein) biomarker as a predictor of post-stroke depression. In this review and meta-analysis, we will attempt to synthesize the evidence for the association between C-reactive protein and the development of post-stroke depression. Methods We systematically searched five academic databases for relevant studies according to the PRISMA guidelines. We evaluate the comparative levels of C-reactive protein in patients with stroke and/without depression, and analyzed the hazard ratio to evaluate the overall risk of C-reactive protein levels in patients with stroke. Results We selected eligible studies with 2534 patients (mean age: 65.2 ± 5.9 years) from the initial 10 926 studies in the databases. Increased C-reactive protein levels (Hedge's g, 0.84) in patients with stroke and depression as compared to patients with stroke without depression. Increased levels of C-reactive protein were associated with the onset of depression (Hazard's ratio, 1.6) in patients with stroke. Conclusion Our findings provide an association of C-reactive protein with the development of post-stroke depression, and present higher levels than patients with stroke without depression. Additionally, our findings support the role of C-reactive protein levels as markers for predicting depression in patients with stroke.
Early Molecular Events Mediating Loss of Aquaporin-2 during Ureteral Obstruction in Rats

Significance Statement Acquired nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), a common polyuric disorder, is caused by the loss of aquaporin-2 (AQP2), but early mediating molecular events remain unclear. Our previous study of lithium-induced NDI showed NF-κB signaling and an inflammatory-like response that represses Aqp2 transcription. Here, we investigate early signaling responses triggered by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) using small-sample RNA-Seq of microdissected rat renal cortical collecting ducts. Early global mRNA suppression followed by an inflammatory signaling response explains loss of AQP2 after UUO. Activation of inflammatory-like signaling may be a shared property of acquired NDI syndromes that leads to repression of Aqp2 gene expression. Visual Abstract Background Ureteral obstruction is marked by disappearance of the vasopressin-dependent water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) in the renal collecting duct and polyuria upon reversal. Most studies of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) models have examined late time points, obscuring the early signals that trigger loss of AQP2. Methods We performed RNA-Seq on microdissected rat cortical collecting ducts (CCDs) to identify early signaling pathways after establishment of UUO. Results Vasopressin V2 receptor (AVPR2) mRNA was decreased 3 hours after UUO, identifying one cause of AQP2 loss. Collecting duct principal cell differentiation markers were lost, including many not regulated by vasopressin. Immediate early genes in CCDs were widely induced 3 hours after UUO, including Myc, Atf3, and Fos (confirmed at the protein level). Simultaneously, expression of NF-κB signaling response genes known to repress Aqp2 increased. RNA-Seq for CCDs at an even earlier time point (30 minutes) showed widespread mRNA loss, indicating a “stunned” profile. Immunocytochemical labeling of markers of mRNA-degrading P-bodies DDX6 and 4E-T indicated an increase in P-body formation within 30 minutes. Conclusions Immediately after establishment of UUO, collecting ducts manifest a stunned state with broad disappearance of mRNAs. Within 3 hours, there is upregulation of immediate early and inflammatory genes and disappearance of the V2 vasopressin receptor, resulting in loss of AQP2 (confirmed by lipopolysaccharide administration). The inflammatory response seen rapidly after UUO establishment may be relevant to both UUO-induced polyuria and long-term development of fibrosis in UUO kidneys.
A Test Case Suite Generation Framework of Scenario Testing

—This paper studies the software scenario testing, which is commonly used in black-box testing. In the paper, the workflow model based on task-driven, which is very common in scenario testing, is analyzed. According to test business model in scenario testing, the model is designed to corresponding test case suite. The test case suite that conforms to the scenario test can be obtained through test case generation and test item design. In the last part of the paper, framework of test case suite design is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.
Effects of Receptor Binding Speciﬁcity of Avian Inﬂuenza Virus on the Human Innate Immune Response (cid:1)

Humans infected by the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian inﬂuenza viruses (HPAIV) present unusually high concentrations in serum of proinﬂammatory cytokines and chemokines, which are believed to contribute to the high pathogenicity of these viruses. The hemagglutinins (HAs) of avian inﬂuenza viruses preferentially bind to sialic acids attached through (cid:1) 2,3 linkages (SA (cid:1) 2,3) to the terminal galactose of carbohydrates on the host cell surface, while the HAs from human strains bind to (cid:1) 2,6-linked SA (SA (cid:1) 2,6). To evaluate the role of the viral receptor speciﬁcity in promoting innate immune responses in humans, we generated recombinant inﬂuenza viruses, one bearing the HA and neuraminidase (NA) genes from the A/Vietnam/1203/2004 H5N1 HPAIV in an inﬂuenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (A/PR/8/34) backbone with speciﬁcity for SA (cid:1) 2,3 and the other a mutant virus (with Q226L and G228S in the HA) with preferential receptor speciﬁcity for SA (cid:1) 2,6. Viruses with preferential afﬁnity for SA (cid:1) 2,3 induced higher levels of proinﬂammatory cytokines and interferon (IFN)-inducible genes in primary human dendritic cells (DCs) than viruses with SA (cid:1) 2,6 binding speciﬁcity, and these differences were independent of viral replication, as shown by infections with UV-inactivated viruses. Moreover, human primary macrophages and respiratory epithelial cells showed higher expression of proinﬂammatory genes after infection with the virus with SA (cid:1) 2,3 afﬁnity than after infection with the virus with SA (cid:1) 2,6 afﬁnity. These data indicate that binding to SA (cid:1) 2,3 by H5N1 HPAIV may be sensed by human cells differently than binding to SA (cid:1) 2,6, inducing an exacerbated innate proinﬂammatory response in infected individuals.
Robust counterselection and advanced λRed recombineering enable markerless chromosomal integration of large heterologous constructs

Abstract Despite advances in bacterial genome engineering, delivery of large synthetic constructs remains challenging in practice. In this study, we propose a straightforward and robust approach for the markerless integration of DNA fragments encoding whole metabolic pathways into the genome. This approach relies on the replacement of a counterselection marker with cargo DNA cassettes via λRed recombineering. We employed a counterselection strategy involving a genetic circuit based on the CI repressor of λ phage. Our design ensures elimination of most spontaneous mutants, and thus provides a counterselection stringency close to the maximum possible. We improved the efficiency of integrating long PCR-generated cassettes by exploiting the Ocr antirestriction function of T7 phage, which completely prevents degradation of unmethylated DNA by restriction endonucleases in wild-type bacteria. The employment of highly restrictive counterselection and ocr-assisted λRed recombineering allowed markerless integration of operon-sized cassettes into arbitrary genomic loci of four enterobacterial species with an efficiency of 50–100%. In the case of Escherichia coli, our strategy ensures simple combination of markerless mutations in a single strain via P1 transduction. Overall, the proposed approach can serve as a general tool for synthetic biology and metabolic engineering in a range of bacterial hosts.
Role of a “Magic” Methyl: 2′-Deoxy-2′-α-F-2′-β-C-methyl Pyrimidine Nucleotides Modulate RNA Interference Activity through Synergy with 5′-Phosphate Mimics and Mitigation of Off-Target Effects

Although 2′-deoxy-2′-α-F-2′-β-C-methyl (2′-F/Me) uridine nucleoside derivatives are a successful class of antiviral drugs, this modification had not been studied in oligonucleotides. Herein, we demonstrate the facile synthesis of 2′-F/Me-modified pyrimidine phosphoramidites and their subsequent incorporation into oligonucleotides. Despite the C3′-endo preorganization of the parent nucleoside, a single incorporation into RNA or DNA resulted in significant thermal destabilization of a duplex due to unfavorable enthalpy, likely resulting from steric effects. When located at the terminus of an oligonucleotide, the 2′-F/Me modification imparted more resistance to degradation than the corresponding 2′-fluoro nucleotides. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) modified at certain positions with 2′-F/Me had similar or better silencing activity than the parent siRNAs when delivered via a lipid nanoparticle formulation or as a triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine conjugate in cells and in mice. Modification in the seed region of the antisense strand at position 6 or 7 resulted in an activity equivalent to the parent in mice. Additionally, placement of the antisense strand at position 7 mitigated seed-based off-target effects in cell-based assays. When the 2′-F/Me modification was combined with 5′-vinyl phosphonate, both E and Z isomers had silencing activity comparable to the parent. In combination with other 2′-modifications such as 2′-O-methyl, the Z isomer is detrimental to silencing activity. Presumably, the equivalence of 5′-vinyl phosphonate isomers in the context of 2′-F/Me is driven by the steric and conformational features of the C-methyl-containing sugar ring. These data indicate that 2′-F/Me nucleotides are promising tools for nucleic acid-based therapeutic applications to increase potency, duration, and safety.
Functional significance of the rare rs35667974 IFIH1 gene polymorphism, associated with multiple autoimmune diseases, using a structural biological approach

Abstract Autoimmune diseases, which affect approximately 5% of human population, are a range of diseases in which the immune response to self-antigens results in damage or dysfunction of tissues. Recent genome wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified novel autoimmune disease-associated loci, with many of them shared by multiple disease-associated pathways but much of the genetics and pathophysiological mechanisms remain still obscure. Considering that most of the potential causal variants are still unknown, many studies showed that the missense variant rs35667974 at interferon-induced with helicase C domain 1 (IFIH1) gene is protective for type 1 diabetes (T1D), psoriasis (PS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Recently, this variant was found to be also associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The IFIH1 gene encodes a cytoplasmic RNA helicase otherwise known as melanoma differentiation-associated 5 (MDA5) that recognizes viral RNA and is involved in innate immunity through recognition of viral RNA. In the present study we sought to investigate the association of the rare rs35667974 variant of IFIH1 gene, which resides in exon 14 and changes a conserved isoleucine at position #923 to valine, in the development of various autoimmune diseases and give a reason for the selectivity affecting different autoimmune diseases. Evolutionary studies and three-dimensional (3 D) homology modelling were employed on the MDA5 protein product, through its association with dsRNA, recognition factor controlling cytokine and chemokine signalling, to investigate the protective role of the MDA5 variant for certain autoimmune diseases.
Pandemic Perils and Promise: Implementation of a Virtual Parenting Intervention during COVID-19 among Children with Early Neurological Conditions

ABSTRACT Objective In this study, we examined feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a telepsychological positive parenting intervention (I–InTERACT-North, Internet-basedInteracting Together Everyday: Recovery After Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury) during the COVID-19 pandemic among Canadian families of children at-risk for neurodevelopmental challenges given congenital or neonatal conditions. I–InTERACT-North was developed to improve behavioral and emotional outcomes in children with neurological conditions by utilizing and adapting parenting strategies from several established family-focused programmes. Methods A pragmatic prospective pre-post single-site pilot study design was used to assess feasibility, acceptabilty, and preliminary efficacy of I-InTERACT North during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Thirty-five families of children ages three to nine years were referred between March 2020 and January 2021. Eighteen families enrolled, and 12 (67% adherence) completed the programme. Parents reported strong therapeutic alliance and programme acceptability with barriers due to competing time demands. Therapists reported high acceptability but perceived parental burnout. Parenting confidence (d = 0.70), and child behavior (d = 1.30) improved following the intervention. Conclusions Results demonstrate the programme’s value to families during the pandemic, while underscoring unique participation barriers. Future research and clinicial implications are discussed.
Posttraumatic Growth and its Correlates Among Parents of Children With Cleft Lip and/or Palate

Objective This study examined the posttraumatic growth (PTG) about parents of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and the correlates of PTG. Design A cross-sectional study. Participants and Setting Parents (N = 388) of children with isolated CL/P (ages 3 months-18 years) who had at least one cleft surgery within an oral and maxillofacial surgery department of a university-affiliated tertiary hospital in a provincial capital in southwest China. Main Measures Demographic information questionnaire, The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and Social Support Rating Scale were used for data collection. Results Parents’ mean PTG score was in the moderate range (M = 65.7, SD = 13.73). PTG differed regarding the participants’ sex, ethnicity, and educational background. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that positive coping (r = 0.43, P < .01), negative coping (r = 0.13, P < .01), and social support (r = 0.26, P < .01) were positively correlated with PTG. Multiple regression model showed that 20.6% (P < .001) of the variance in PTG was explained by higher positive coping (β = 0.35, P < .001), greater social support (β = 0.13, P = .01), and for cleft lip compared to cleft palate (β = −0.14, P ≤ .01), with no variance difference for cleft lip and palate. Conclusions Parents of children with CL/P had moderate PTG. Potentially modifiable correlates of PTG suggest interventions to enhance parental positive coping and social support may increase PTG. Further studies are needed to confirm the PTG level and its affecting factors of parents of children with CL/P.
Association of keratoconus with serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and antioxidant trace elements: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize and compare the available evidence on the level of vitamin D and antioxidant trace elements between the keratoconus (KC) patients and healthy controls. Seven case–control studies with 830 subjects were found eligible with a systematic search using PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and EMBASE till November 21, 2021. Data were synthesized with a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects method of meta-analysis. The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in the patients with KC [standardized mean difference (SMD): −0.71; P < 0.001] as compared with the control group. The mean serum vitamin D level decreased more in the progressive patients (SMD: −0.80; P = 0.016) than in the stable patients (SMD: −0.66; P < 0.001) when compared with the control group. The mean serum zinc level was found significantly lower in the patients with KC compared with the control group (SMD: −1.98; P = 0.005). Pooled analysis based on the two studies showed significantly lower mean selenium levels in the KC patients (SMD: −0.34; P = 0.003). Regular evaluation of serum vitamin D, zinc, and selenium levels among the patients with KC at disease onset and future follow-ups could be promising in predicting the progressive disease and disease severity.
Impacts of COVID-19 on contraceptive and abortion services in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionate effects on people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), exacerbating weak health systems. We conducted a scoping review to identify, map, and synthesise studies in LMICs that measured the impact of COVID-19 on demand for, provision of, and access to contraceptive and abortion-related services, and reproductive outcomes of these impacts. Using a pre-established protocol, we searched bibliographic databases (December 2019–February 2021) and key grey literature sources (December 2019–April 2021). Of 71 studies included, the majority (61%) were not peer-reviewed, and 42% were based in Africa, 35% in Asia, 17% were multi-region, and 6% were in Latin America and the Caribbean. Most studies were based on data through June 2020. The magnitude of contraceptive service-related impacts varied widely across 55 studies (24 of which also included information on abortion). Nearly all studies assessing changes over time to contraceptive service provision noted declines of varying magnitude, but severe disruptions were relatively uncommon or of limited duration. Twenty-six studies addressed the impacts of COVID-19 on abortion and postabortion care (PAC). Overall, studies found increases in demand, reductions in provision and increases in barriers to accessing these services. The use of abortion services declined, but the use of PAC was more mixed with some studies finding increases compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The impacts of COVID-19 varied substantially, including the country context, health service, and population studied. Continued monitoring is needed to assess impacts on these key health services, as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
Gases, Liquids and Solids and Other States of Matter

Introduction 1. Atoms, molecules and the forces between them 2. Temperature, heat and the laws of thermodynamics 3. Perfect gases - bulk properties and simple theory 4. Further theory of perfect gases 5. Imperfect gases 6. The solid state 7. The elastic properties of solids 8. The strength properties of solids 9. Thermal and electrical properties of solids 10. The liquid state 11. Liquids: their flow properties 12. The colloidal state of matter 13. Some physical properties of polymers 14. Dielectric properties of matter 15. Magnetic properties of matter Appendix Index.