Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and functional significance of a novel ferroptosis‐related prognosis signature in lung adenocarcinoma

Dear Editor, Lung cancer remains the most common and fatal type of cancer around the world, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common subtype.1 Although genetargeted therapies and immunotherapies have made great advances, most patients still suffer from drug-resistance or insensitivity to current regimens.2 Ferroptosis is a new regulated cell death form defined in 2012,3 recently, its relevance in multiple pathological process including malignant tumors4 has been reported, which is of great prognostic and therapeutic interests. Here, we aim to identify novel prognostic genes and construct a ferroptosis-related prognostic signature for LUAD. As shown in the flow chart (Figure 1A), RNA-seq data of LUAD were retrospectively downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database as discovery cohort, which contained 505 tumor tissues and 59 normal lung tissues after exclusion of samples without clinical or survival information. GSE72094 datasets were obtained from gene expression omnibus, and a total of 398 cases were used as an independent validation cohort. Ferroptosis-related genes were selected based on the ferroptosis database (http://www.zhounan.org/ferrdb/) and literature review
MicroRNA-27b inhibits the development of melanoma by targeting MYC

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is a malignancy with one of the fastest increasing incidence rates worldwide; however, the mechanism underlying the occurrence and development of melanoma remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to identify novel biomarkers for the occurrence and development of melanoma. The results of the present study demonstrated that the expression levels of microRNA (miR)-27b were decreased in melanoma tissue samples compared with those in adjacent noncancerous tissue samples and cells according to online and experimental data. By contrast, MYC expression levels were upregulated in melanoma compared with those in adjacent noncancerous tissue samples. miR-27b overexpression significantly inhibited A375 and A2085 melanoma cell DNA synthesis, viability and invasive ability. Dual-luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that miR-27b inhibited MYC expression through binding to the 3′-untranslated region of MYC mRNA. MYC knockdown in melanoma cells exerted similar effects to those of miR-27b overexpression on DNA synthesis, cell viability and invasive ability; the effects of miR-27b inhibition were significantly reversed by MYC knockdown. In conclusion, the miR-27b/MYC axis may modulate malignant melanoma cell biological behaviors and may be a potential target for melanoma treatment.
Assessing Patient Safety Culture in Hospital Settings

The current knowledge about patient safety culture (PSC) in the healthcare industry, as well as the research tools that have been used to evaluate PSC in hospitals, is limited. Such a limitation may hamper current efforts to improve patient safety worldwide. This study provides a systematic review of published research on the perception of PSC in hospitals. The research methods used to survey and evaluate PSC in healthcare settings are also explored. A list of academic databases was searched from 2006 to 2020 to form a comprehensive view of PSC’s current applications. The following research instruments have been applied in the past to assess PSC: the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC), the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ), the Patient Safety Climate in Health Care Organizations (PSCHO), the Modified Stanford Instrument (MSI-2006), and the Scottish Hospital Safety Questionnaire (SHSQ). Some of the most critical factors that impact the PSC are teamwork and organizational and behavioral learning. Reporting errors and safety awareness, gender and demographics, work experience, and staffing levels have also been identified as essential factors. Therefore, these factors will need to be considered in future work to improve PSC. Finally, the results reveal strong evidence of growing interest among individuals in the healthcare industry to assess hospitals’ general patient safety culture.
Characterization of the Skin Cultivable Microbiota Composition of the Frog Pelophylax perezi Inhabiting Different Environments

Microorganisms that live in association with amphibian skin can play important roles in protecting their host. Within the scenarios of global change, it is important to understand how environmental disturbances, namely, metal pollution, can affect this microbiota. The aim of this study is to recognize core bacteria in the skin cultivable microbiota of the Perez frog (Pelophylax perezi) that are preserved regardless of the environmental conditions in which the frogs live. The characterization of these isolates revealed characteristics that can support their contributions to the ability of frogs to use metal impacted environments. Frog’s skin swabs were collected from P. perezi populations that inhabit a metal-polluted site and three reference (non-metal polluted) sites. Bacterial strains were isolated, identified, and subjected to an acid mine drainage tolerance (AMD) test, collected upstream from a site heavily contaminated with metals, and tested to produce extracellular polymeric substances (exopolysaccharide, EPS). All frog populations had Acinetobacter in their cutaneous cultivable microbiota. Significant growth inhibition was observed in all bacterial isolates exposed to 75% of AMD. EPS production was considered a characteristic of several isolates. The data obtained is a preliminary step but crucial to sustain that the cultivable microbiota is a mechanism for protecting frogs against environmental contamination.
Effects of Speciation, Cooking and Changes in Bioaccessibility on Methylmercury Exposure Assessment for Contrasting Diets of Fish and Marine Mammals

Uptake of the neurotoxicant monomethylmercury (MeHg) from fish and marine mammals continues to present a public health concern in Canada and elsewhere. However, fish and marine mammals are key diet items contributing to food security for some Indigenous populations in Canada. Mercury (Hg) exposure is estimated assuming that 100% of Hg is methylated, that 100% will be absorbed by the consumer and that cooking does not affect MeHg concentrations. Some of these assumptions do not correspond to our current state of knowledge. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of additional variables on Hg exposure equation using probabilistic risk analysis. New variables tested were (1) the proportion of methylated Hg compared to total Hg (pMeHg, %), (2) the relative absorption factor (RAF, %) expressed as bioaccessibility and (3) the mass loss factor (MLF, unitless) that represents the loss of moisture during cooking, known to increase MeHg concentration in fish and mammals. For the new variables, data from literature were used in order to set point estimate values that were further used in the probabilistic risk analysis. Modelling results for both fish and marine mammals indicate that adding these new variables significantly influenced estimates of MeHg exposure (Mood’s median test, p < 0.05). This study highlights that the evaluation of exposure to MeHg is sensitive to pMeHg, RAF and MLF, and the inclusion of these variables in risk assessment should be considered with care. Further research is needed to provide better food-dependent, population-specific estimates of RAF and MLF before formal inclusion in exposure estimates.
Highly permeable chemically modified PIM-1/Matrimid membranes for green hydrogen purification

Polymers of intrinsic microporosity, e.g. PIM-1, are attractive materials for gas separation and energy development, which is ascribed mainly to their superior permeability. The H2 and CO2 permeability of PIM-1 is about 1300–4000 Barrer and 3000–8000 Barrer, respectively. However, it has a relatively low H2/CO2 selectivity of 0.4–0.8. Different from the previous UV rearrangement approach, for the first time we report here a viable method to tune the intrinsic properties of PIM-1 blend membranes from being CO2-selective to H2-selective via blending with Matrimid and subsequent cross-linking the mixed matrix membrane with diamines at room temperature. The ideal H2/CO2 selectivity of the membrane after modification by 2 h triethylenetetramine (TETA) improved dramatically from 0.4–0.8 to 9.6, with a H2 permeability of 395 Barrer. The modified membranes also show exceptional separation performance, surpassing the present upper bound for H2/CO2, H2/N2, H2/CH4 and O2/N2 separations. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed that the diamine cross-linking successfully alters the membrane morphology from a dense to a composite structure. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and sorption data confirmed that the modified membrane has a smaller d-spacing and a decrease in the diffusivity coefficient. Our results also affirmed that the spatial structure, rather than the pKa value, of the diamine is the prevailing factor which governs the reactivity of diamines towards the PIM-1/Matrimid membrane due to the low concentration of cross-linkable polyimides distributing randomly in the polymer matrix. The fundamentals and knowledge gained throughout this study may facilitate the development of polymeric membranes for green H2 enrichment processes.
A net decrease in the Earth's cloud, aerosol, and surface 340 nm reflectivity during the past 33 yr (1979–2011)

Abstract. Measured upwelling radiances from Nimbus-7 SBUV (Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet) and seven NOAA SBUV/2 instruments have been used to calculate the 340 nm Lambertian equivalent reflectivity (LER) of the Earth from 1979 to 2011 after applying a common calibration. The 340 nm LER is highly correlated with cloud and aerosol cover because of the low surface reflectivity of the land and oceans (typically 2 to 6 RU, reflectivity units, where 1 RU = 0.01 = 1.0%) relative to the much higher reflectivity of clouds plus nonabsorbing aerosols (typically 10 to 90 RU). Because of the nearly constant seasonal and long-term 340 nm surface reflectivity in areas without snow and ice, the 340 nm LER can be used to estimate changes in cloud plus aerosol amount associated with seasonal and interannual variability and decadal climate change. The annual motion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), episodic El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and latitude-dependent seasonal cycles are apparent in the LER time series. LER trend estimates from 5° zonal average and from 2° × 5° , latitude × longitude, time series show that there has been a global net decrease in 340 nm cloud plus aerosol reflectivity. The decrease in cos 2 (latitude) weighted average LER from 60° S to 60° N is 0.79 ± 0.03 RU over 33 yr, corresponding to a 3.6 ± 0.2% decrease in LER. Applying a 3.6% cloud reflectivity perturbation to the shortwave energy balance partitioning given by Trenberth et al. (2009) corresponds to an increase of 2.7 W m −2 of solar energy reaching the Earth's surface and an increase of 1.4% or 2.3 W m −2 absorbed by the surface, which is partially offset by increased longwave cooling to space. Most of the decreases in LER occur over land, with the largest decreases occurring over the US (−0.97 RU decade −1 ), Brazil (−0.9 RU decade −1 ), and central Europe (−1.35 RU decade −1 ). There are reflectivity increases near the west coast of Peru and Chile (0.8 ± 0.1 RU decade −1 ), over parts of India, China, and Indochina, and almost no change over Australia. The largest Pacific Ocean change is −2 ± 0.1 RU decade −1 over the central equatorial region associated with ENSO. There has been little observed change in LER over central Greenland, but there has been a significant decrease over a portion of the west coast of Greenland. Similar significant decreases in LER are observed over a portion of the coast of Antarctica for longitudes −160° to −60° and 80° to 150°.
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 11:4

Recent studies of visuomotor integration suggest that the motor system may be intimately involved in the detection of salient features of the sensory scene. The anal stages of sensory processing occur in hippocampal structures. We measured human neuromagnetic responses during motor reaction to an auditory cue embedded in high-speed multimodal stimulation. Our results demonstrate that large-scale cognitive networks may recruit additional resources from the hippocampus during sensorimotor integration. Hippocampal activity from 300 msec before to 200 msec after cued movements was enhanced signiacantly over that observed during self-paced movements. The dominant hippocampal activity appeared equally synchronized to both sensory input and motor output, consistent with timing by an intrinsic mechanism, possibly provided by ongoing theta
Perceived organizational support and PTSD symptoms of frontline healthcare workers in the outbreak of COVID‐19 in Wuhan: The mediating effects of self‐efficacy and coping strategies

Abstract The present study aimed to examine the effect of perceived organizational support on the PTSD symptoms of frontline healthcare workers, and to examine the mediating effects of coping self‐efficacy and coping strategies in this relationship. A short‐term longitudinal study design was used to conduct two waves of online surveys in March and April 2020. Participants comprised 107 medical staff in both waves of investigation. Self‐efficacy, coping strategies, and perceived organizational support were reported at Wave 1, and PTSD symptoms were reported at Wave 2. Results indicated that (1) The prevalence of probable PTSD was 9.3% and 4.7% on the Chinese version of the Impact of Events Scale‐Revised of 33 and 35, respectively. Local healthcare workers had greater risks of PTSD than the members of medical rescue teams. Doctors reported higher PTSD symptoms than nurses. (2) Perceived organizational support had a significant indirect effect on PTSD symptoms through the mediation of problem‐focused coping strategies and the sequential mediating effect of coping self‐efficacy and problem‐focused coping strategies. The findings highlight the importance of providing adequate organizational support to reduce PTSD symptoms in frontline medical staff during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Separation of two main triterpene glycosides from sea cucumber Pearsonothuria graeffei by high-speed countercurrent chromatography

Summary Holostane series glycosides have been isolated by a new and effective method. Two main triterpene glycosides from sea cucumber Pearsonothuria graeffei extract were successfully purified by one-step high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) using a two-phase solvent systems comprising ethyl acetate-n-butanol-methanol-water 2.4:2.6:0.2:4.8 (v/v) to yield holothurin A and echinoside A with purities 93.5 and 95.5%, respectively. The chemical structures were elucidated by ESIMS and NMR analysis.
EWS-FLI1 and Menin Converge to Regulate ATF4 Activity in Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing sarcomas are driven by EWS–ETS fusions, most commonly EWS-FLI1, which promotes widespread metabolic reprogramming, including activation of serine biosynthesis. We previously reported that serine biosynthesis is also activated in Ewing sarcoma by the scaffolding protein menin through as yet undefined mechanisms. Here, we investigated whether EWS-FLI1 and/or menin orchestrate serine biosynthesis via modulation of ATF4, a stress-response gene that acts as a master transcriptional regulator of serine biosynthesis in other tumors. Our results show that in Ewing sarcoma, ATF4 levels are high and that ATF4 modulates transcription of core serine synthesis pathway (SSP) genes. Inhibition of either EWS-FLI1 or menin leads to loss of ATF4, and this is associated with diminished expression of SSP transcripts and proteins. We identified and validated an EWS–FLI1 binding site at the ATF4 promoter, indicating that the fusion can directly activate ATF4 transcription. In contrast, our results suggest that menin-dependent regulation of ATF4 is mediated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Importantly, our data also reveal that the downregulation of SSP genes that occurs in the context of EWS-FLI1 or menin loss is indicative of broader inhibition of ATF4-dependent transcription. Moreover, we find that menin inhibition similarly leads to loss of ATF4 and the ATF4-dependent transcriptional signature in MLL-rearranged B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, extending our findings to another cancer in which menin serves an oncogenic role. Implications: These studies provide new insights into metabolic reprogramming in Ewing sarcoma and also uncover a previously undescribed role for menin in the regulation of ATF4.
Predicting lipid and ligand binding sites in TRPV1 channel by molecular dynamics simulation and machine learning

As a key cellular sensor, the TRPV1 channel undergoes a gating transition from a closed state to an open state in response to many physical and chemical stimuli. This transition is regulated by small‐molecule ligands including lipids and various agonists/antagonists, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. Thanks to recent revolution in cryo‐electron microscopy, a growing list of new structures of TRPV1 and other TRPV channels have been solved in complex with various ligands including lipids. Toward elucidating how ligand binding correlates with TRPV1 gating, we have performed extensive molecular dynamics simulations (with cumulative time of 20 μs), starting from high‐resolution structures of TRPV1 in both the closed and open states. By comparing between the open and closed state ensembles, we have identified state‐dependent binding sites for small‐molecule ligands in general and lipids in particular. We further use machine learning to predict top ligand‐binding sites as important features to classify the closed vs open states. The predicted binding sites are thoroughly validated by matching homologous sites in all structures of TRPV channels bound to lipids and other ligands, and with previous functional/mutational studies of ligand binding in TRPV1. Taken together, this study has integrated rich structural, dynamic, and functional data to inform future design of small‐molecular drugs targeting TRPV1.
A ketogenic diet impacts markers of mitochondrial mass in a tissue specific manner in aged mice

Declines in mitochondrial mass are thought to be a hallmark of mammalian aging, and a ketogenic diet (KD) may prevent the age-related decreases in mitochondrial content. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of a KD on markers of mitochondrial mass. Mice were fed an isocaloric control diet (CD) or KD from 12 months of age. Tissues were collected after 1 month and 14 months of intervention, and a panel of commonly used markers of mitochondrial mass (mitochondrial enzyme activities and levels, mitochondrial to nuclear DNA ratio, and cardiolipin content) were measured. Our results showed that a KD stimulated activities of marker mitochondrial enzymes including citrate synthase, Complex I, and Complex IV in hindlimb muscle in aged mice. KD also increased the activity of citrate synthase and prevented an age-related decrease in Complex IV activity in aged brain. No other markers were increased in these tissues. Furthermore, the impacts of a KD on liver and kidney were mixed with no pattern indicative of a change in mitochondrial mass. In conclusion, results of the present study suggest that a KD induces tissue-specific changes in mitochondrial enzyme activities, or structure, rather than global changes in mitochondrial mass across tissues.
DF-8: a specific scale for assessing work fatigue in professional drivers

The study objective is to create a scale specifically for measuring driver fatigue and to analyze the scale’s psychometric properties. The participants were 518 Spanish drivers. We carried out an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the first subsample obtained a single-item solution (eight items). We then performed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a second subsample. The results were root mean square error of approximation (rmsea) = 0.05, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.94 and Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.92, which corroborates the previous results and maintains the same number of elements. The resulting dimension shows good reliability. The scale scores were then related to several external correlates and other scales, and showed good convergence and criteria validity. The results indicate that the scale for assessing work fatigue specifically in professional drivers – driver fatigue (DF-8) – is a reliable and valid instrument.
Increasing Inundation Frequencies Enhance the Stochastic Process and Network Complexity of the Soil Archaeal Community in Coastal Wetlands

Coastal wetlands, subjected to regular disturbances by periodic tidal, are highly productive and important in the regulation of climate change. However, the assembly mechanisms and co-occurrence patterns of soil archaeal communities in coastal areas remain poorly known, especially for their responses to increasing inundation frequencies. ABSTRACT Coastal wetlands are experiencing frequent flooding because of global climate changes, such as the rising sea level. Despite the key role of archaea in soil biogeochemical cycles, the assembly processes and co-occurrence patterns of archaeal communities in coastal wetlands in response to increasing inundation frequencies remain elusive. In this study, we established an in situ mesocosm with an inundation frequency gradient to investigate the response of soil archaeal community toward increasing inundation frequencies in monocultures of Spartina alterniflora and a mangrove species, Kandelia obovata. Both neutral community model and null model analyses suggested that stochastic processes are dominant in governing the archaeal community assembly and that the stochastic processes are enhanced with increasing inundation frequencies. Increasing inundation frequencies significantly increased the community niche width. Moreover, archaeal community in S. alterniflora soil displayed lower niche overlap and higher stochasticity than in K. obovata soil. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that the network complexity increases with increase in the inundation frequencies. Soil water content is the most decisive factor influencing the archaeal communities. Overall, we found that increasing inundation frequencies enhance the stochastic processes and network complexity of the soil archaeal community in coastal wetlands. This study could enhance our understanding on the response of soil archaeal communities in coastal wetlands toward global change. IMPORTANCE Coastal wetlands, subjected to regular disturbances by periodic tides, are highly productive and important in the regulation of climate change. However, the assembly mechanisms and co-occurrence patterns of soil archaeal communities in coastal areas remain poorly known, especially for their responses to increasing inundation frequencies. In this study, we aimed at unraveling these uncertainties by studying typical estuarine ecosystems in southern China. We show that increasing inundation frequencies enhance the stochastic processes and network complexity of the soil archaeal community. This study offers a new path for an improved understanding of archaeal community assembly and species coexistence in coastal environments, with a special focus on the role of inundation frequency.