Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning Models for Equivalent Circulating Density Prediction from Drilling Data

Equivalent circulating density (ECD) is considered a critical parameter during the drilling operation, as it could lead to severe problems related to the well control such as fracturing the drilled formation and circulation loss. The conventional way to determine the ECD is either by carrying out the downhole tool measurements or by using mathematical models. The downhole measurement is costly and has some limitations with the practical operations, while the mathematical models do not provide a high level of accuracy. Determination of the ECD should have a high level of accuracy, and therefore, the objective of this study is to employ machine learning techniques such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference systems (ANFISs) to predict the ECD from only the drilling data with a high accuracy level. The study utilized drilling data from a horizontal drilling section that includes drilling parameters (penetration rate, rotating speed, torque, weight on bit, pumping rate, and pressure of standpipe). The models were built and tested from a data set that has 3570 data points, and another data set of 1130 measurements was employed for validating the models. The accuracy of the models was determined by key performance indices, which are the coefficient of correlation (R) and the average absolute percentage error (AAPE). The results showed the strong prediction capability for ECD from the two models through training, testing, and validation processes with R greater than 0.98 and a very low error of 0.3% for the ANN model, while ANFIS recorded R of 0.96 and AAPE of 0.7, and hence, the two models showed great performance for ECD estimation application. Also, the study introduces a newly developed equation for ECD determination from drilling data in real time.
Obstetricians’ Attitude towards Childbirth

(1) Background: In Spain, as in other countries, there is an increase in policies and practices focused on the humanization of perinatal care. In this regard, the quality of interpersonal interactions between women and health professionals is one of the main factors, and, apart from other factors, it is influenced by health professionals´ attitudes towards childbirth. The main objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of obstetricians towards the humanization of childbirth and the promotion of a positive childbirth experience. (2) Methods: The psychosocial task force of the Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology designed a nationwide online survey. The questionnaire on attitudes towards childbirth (CAVE, acronym for “cuestionario de actitudes sobre vivencias y experiencias en el parto”) was used for the assessment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the scale were also performed. (3) Results: A total of 384 participants completed the survey. Obstetricians showed a high-quality clinical obstetric performance, but some difficulties in identifying birth-related psychological-trauma risk factors. Some differences according to practice and gender were found in the final score and in areas regarding psychosocial risk, pain, accompaniment, and women´s expectations. (4) Conclusions: In light of the results, it is advisable to launch education initiatives aimed to improve interaction with pregnant women.
Revisiting Jatropha curcas Monomeric Esterase: A Dienelactone Hydrolase Compatible with the Electrostatic Catapult Model

Jatropha curcas contains seeds with a high oil content, suitable for biodiesel production. After oil extraction, the remaining mass can be a rich source of enzymes. However, data from the literature describing physicochemical characteristics for a monomeric esterase from the J. curcas seed did not fit the electrostatic catapult model for esterases/lipases. We decided to reevaluate this J. curcas esterase and extend its characterization to check this apparent discrepancy and gain insights into the enzyme’s potential as a biocatalyst. After anion exchange chromatography and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we identified the enzyme as belonging to the dienelactone hydrolase family, characterized by a cysteine as the nucleophile in the catalytic triad. The enzyme displayed a basic optimum hydrolysis pH of 9.0 and an acidic pI range, in contrast to literature data, making it well in line with the electrostatic catapult model. Furthermore, the enzyme showed low hydrolysis activity in an organic solvent-containing medium (isopropanol, acetonitrile, and ethanol), which reverted when recovering in an aqueous reaction mixture. This enzyme can be a valuable tool for hydrolysis reactions of short-chain esters, useful for pharmaceutical intermediates synthesis, due to both its high hydrolytic rate in basic pH and its stability in an organic solvent.
Cofilin and Actin Dynamics: Multiple Modes of Regulation and Their Impacts in Neuronal Development and Degeneration

Proteins of the actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin family are ubiquitous among eukaryotes and are essential regulators of actin dynamics and function. Mammalian neurons express cofilin-1 as the major isoform, but ADF and cofilin-2 are also expressed. All isoforms bind preferentially and cooperatively along ADP-subunits in F-actin, affecting the filament helical rotation, and when either alone or when enhanced by other proteins, promotes filament severing and subunit turnover. Although self-regulating cofilin-mediated actin dynamics can drive motility without post-translational regulation, cells utilize many mechanisms to locally control cofilin, including cooperation/competition with other proteins. Newly identified post-translational modifications function with or are independent from the well-established phosphorylation of serine 3 and provide unexplored avenues for isoform specific regulation. Cofilin modulates actin transport and function in the nucleus as well as actin organization associated with mitochondrial fission and mitophagy. Under neuronal stress conditions, cofilin-saturated F-actin fragments can undergo oxidative cross-linking and bundle together to form cofilin-actin rods. Rods form in abundance within neurons around brain ischemic lesions and can be rapidly induced in neurites of most hippocampal and cortical neurons through energy depletion or glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. In ~20% of rodent hippocampal neurons, rods form more slowly in a receptor-mediated process triggered by factors intimately connected to disease-related dementias, e.g., amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s disease. This rod-inducing pathway requires a cellular prion protein, NADPH oxidase, and G-protein coupled receptors, e.g., CXCR4 and CCR5. Here, we will review many aspects of cofilin regulation and its contribution to synaptic loss and pathology of neurodegenerative diseases.
Comparison of 5 Versus 7-Day Ovsynch + Progesterone Releasing Intravaginal Device Protocols (PRID) and a Modified G7G with an Option of Heat Detection Protocol for 1st Service in Lactating Dairy Cows

Simple Summary The efficacy of two timed-AI protocols (5- and 7- Ovsynch + PRID) and a modified G7G protocol, that included intermediate heat detection, was evaluated. There was no difference in Pregnancy per AI between the two timed-AI protocols. The modified G7G protocol resulted in higher P/AI compared to the pooled data from the two TAI protocols. As a conclusion, enhancing detection of estrus within a synchronization protocol, by increasing the proportion of cows eligible to show estrus (e.g., by pre-synchronization) or by using activity-monitoring systems, could improve the reproduction indices of dairy cows. Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two timed-AI (TAI) protocols (Group G5D, GnRH and PRID -5d- PGF2a -1d- PGF2a -1d- GnRH, n = 105 and Group G7D, GnRH and PRID-7d- PGF2a -1d- PGF2a -1d- GnRH, n = 98) and a modified G7G protocol combining heat detection (HD) and AI or TAI if HD failed (Group HD, GnRH and PRID -7d- PGF2a -1d- PGF2a -5d- HD or 5d TAI if no HD, n = 92). Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) did not differ between G5D and G7D protocol (G5D: 33.8% vs. G7D: 35.2%, P = 0.85). Cows assigned to G5D and G7D group were pooled as TAI group (GTAI) and further compared to GHD. Within the GHD, more primiparous cows exhibited estrous signs compared to multiparous cows (70.4% vs. 46.2%, P = 0.03). Furthermore, 49 cows (53.3%) were served after HD, whereas 43 cows (46.7%) were served after TAI. There was no difference in P/AI between cows served after HD (51.6%) or after TAI (43.0%, P = 0.49). GHD showed higher P/AI at 1st service compared to GTAI (49.1% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.04), whilst, median days to pregnancy did not differ between the two groups. Overall, P/AI of primiparous cows tended to be better in comparison with multiparous cows (48.3% vs. 37.2%, P = 0.06). In conclusion, there was no significant difference regarding the efficacy of 5- and 7-day Ovsynch + PRID protocols. Moreover, a modified G7G protocol, with intermediate heat detection, resulted in overall better P/AI compared to TAI protocols and appears as a promising strategy to optimize estrus detection for 1st AI.
Exploration of the Socioecological Determinants of Hong Kong Workers’ Work-Life Balance: A Grounded Theory Model

Background: Although a growing body of research has investigated the theoretical and empirical models of work-life balance (WLB), the propositions of this phenomenon remain nonunified. Thus, a grounded theory approach was adopted to explore the viewpoints of workers regarding WLB and its determinants and consequences. Methods: Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted to investigate the attitudes and experiences of Hong Kong workers towards WLB, in which 50 workers were interviewed. All data of interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded into five levels of the socioecological framework (i.e., intrapersonal level, interpersonal level, organisational level, community and government policy). Results: The grounded theory model established that work-life balance and personal context mutually affected each other, and work-life balance was unidirectionally affected by the environmental context. The ability to maintain a continual satisfied physical and mental states among multiple roles under the emergence of unexpected environmental factors was proposed as the definition of work-life balance. Conclusions: The findings of this study offer essential research insights into the importance of WLB, the dynamic features for workers to sustain balance and constructing a reliable and exhaustive assessment model for work-life balance for future studies.
Adding Two Antimicrobial Glasses to an Endodontic Sealer to Prevent Bacterial Root Canal Reinfection: An In Vivo Pilot Study in Dogs

Current endodontic procedures continue to be unsuccessful for completely removing pathogens present inside the root canal system, which can lead to recurrent infections. In this study, we aimed to assess the antimicrobial capacity and tissue response of two inorganic bactericidal additives incorporated into a paste root canal sealer on contaminated root dentin in vivo. An experimental study was performed in 30 teeth of five Beagle dogs. After inducing microbiological contamination, root canal systems were treated by randomly incorporating one of two antimicrobial additives into a commercial epoxy-amine resin sealer (AH Plus), i.e., G3T glass-ceramic (n = 10) and ZnO-enriched glass (n = 10); 10 samples were randomized as a control group. After having sacrificed the animals, microbiological, radiological, and histological analyses were performed, which were complemented with an in vitro bactericidal test and characterization by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The tested groups demonstrated a non-significant microbiological reduction in the postmortem periapical index values between the control group and the bactericidal glass-ceramic group (p = 0.885), and between the control group and the ZnO-enriched glass group (p = 0.169). The histological results showed low values of inflammatory infiltrate, and a healing pattern characterized by fibrosis in 44.4% of the G3T glass-ceramic and 60.0% of ZnO-enriched glass. Bactericidal glassy additives incorporated in this root canal sealer are safe and effective in bacterial reduction.
Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase: An Emerging Protagonist in Cancer Macro(r)evolution

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) has progressed from being considered merely a Phase II metabolic enzyme to one with a central role in cell function and energy metabolism. Over the last three decades, a significant body of evidence has accumulated which clearly demonstrates a central role for NNMT in cancer survival, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting a role for NNMT in the progression of the cancer phenotype and how it achieves this by driving the activity of pro-oncogenic NAD+-consuming enzymes. We also describe how increased NNMT activity supports the Warburg effect and how it promotes oncogenic changes in gene expression. We discuss the regulation of NNMT activity in cancer cells by both post-translational modification of the enzyme and transcription factor binding to the NNMT gene, and describe for the first time three long non-coding RNAs which may play a role in the regulation of NNMT transcription. We complete the review by discussing the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics which target NNMT and provide insight into how NNMT-based therapies may be best employed clinically.
Diagnostic Value of FTO Combined with CEA or CYFRA21-1 in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of FTO combined with CEA or CYFRA21-1 for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to provide a theoretical basis for molecular diagnosis of NSCLC. Methods Totally, 60 patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated in our hospital between Feb. 2018 and Feb. 2019 were enrolled into the patient group (Pat group) and 50 healthy individuals with normal physical examination results in our hospital over the same time span into the control group (Con group). Serum of each participant was collected, and then qRT-PCR was adopted for quantification of serum FTO and the chemiluminescence method for quantification of serum CEA and CYFRA21-1. Additionally, corresponding ROC curves were drawn for diagnostic value analyses of FTO, CEA, and CYFRA21-1 in NSCLC and Cox regression analysis was performed for analysis of independent factors impacting the patients' 3-year prognosis. Results The Pat group presented notably higher FTO, CEA, and CYFRA21-1 levels than the Con group (all P < 0.05), and patients with a high FTO level faced notably higher probabilities of stage III + IV and lymph node metastasis (LNM) (both P < 0.05). Additionally, according to ROC curve-based analysis, with a high level in patients with NSCLC, FTO had high specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing NSCLC; joint detection of it with CEA or CYFRA21-1 demonstrated a higher sensitivity in NSCLC diagnosis and presented a higher specificity in diagnosing early NSCLC compared with detection of CEA or CYFRA21-1 alone. According to Cox regression analysis, clinical stage, LNM, and FTO were independent risk factors impacting the prognosis of patients with LC (all P < 0.05). Conclusion FTO presents a high level in NSCLC cases, and joint detection of it with CEA or CYFRA21-1 delivered a higher specificity in diagnosing NSCLC in contrast to detection of CEA or CYFRA21-1 alone, so the joint detection is worth popularizing in clinical scenarios.
RIP3 Associates with RIP1, TRIF, MAVS, and Also IRF3/7 in Host Innate Immune Signaling in Large Yellow Croaker Larimichthys crocea

Receptor-interacting protein 3 (RIP3) has been demonstrated to be a key regulator not only in cell death pathways including apoptosis and necroptosis but also in inflammation and host immune responses. In this study, a RIP3 ortholog named Lc-RIP3 is identified in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). The open reading frame (ORF) of Lc-RIP3 is 1524 bp long and encodes a protein of 507 amino acids (aa). The deduced Lc-RIP3 protein has an N-terminal kinase domain and a C-terminal RHIM domain, and the genome organization of Lc-RIP3 is conserved in teleosts with 12 exons and 11 introns but is different from that in mammals, which comprises 10 exons and 9 introns. Confocal microscopy revealed that Lc-RIP3 is a cytosolic protein. The expression analysis at the mRNA level indicated that Lc-RIP3 is ubiquitously distributed in various tissues/organs, and could be up-regulated under poly I:C, LPS, PGN, and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida stimulation in vivo. Notably, Lc-RIP3 could induce NF-κB but not IRF3 activation. In addition, Lc-RIP3 co-expression with Lc-TRIF, Lc-MAVS, or Lc-IRF3 significantly abolishes the activation of NF-κB but enhances the induction of IRF3 activity. Moreover, NF-κB activity could be up-regulated when Lc-RIP3 is co-expressed with Lc-RIP1 or Lc-IRF7. These results collectively indicate that Lc-RIP3 acts as an important regulator in host innate immune signaling in teleosts.
The Balance between Differentiation and Terminal Differentiation Maintains Oral Epithelial Homeostasis

Simple Summary Oral cancer affecting the oral cavity represents the most common cancer of the head and neck region. Oral cancer develops in a multistep process in which normal cells gradually accumulate genetic and epigenetic modifications to evolve into a malignant disease. Mortality for oral cancer patients is high and morbidity has a significant long-term impact on the health and wellbeing of affected individuals, typically resulting in facial disfigurement and a loss of the ability to speak, chew, taste, and swallow. The limited scope to which current treatments are able to control oral cancer underlines the need for novel therapeutic strategies. This review highlights the molecular differences between oral cell proliferation, differentiation and terminal differentiation, defines terminal differentiation as an important tumour suppressive mechanism and establishes a rationale for clinical investigation of differentiation-paired therapies that may improve outcomes in oral cancer. Abstract The oral epithelium is one of the fastest repairing and continuously renewing tissues. Stem cell activation within the basal layer of the oral epithelium fuels the rapid proliferation of multipotent progenitors. Stem cells first undergo asymmetric cell division that requires tightly controlled and orchestrated differentiation networks to maintain the pool of stem cells while producing progenitors fated for differentiation. Rapidly expanding progenitors subsequently commit to advanced differentiation programs towards terminal differentiation, a process that regulates the structural integrity and homeostasis of the oral epithelium. Therefore, the balance between differentiation and terminal differentiation of stem cells and their progeny ensures progenitors commitment to terminal differentiation and prevents epithelial transformation and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A recent comprehensive molecular characterization of OSCC revealed that a disruption of terminal differentiation factors is indeed a common OSCC event and is superior to oncogenic activation. Here, we discuss the role of differentiation and terminal differentiation in maintaining oral epithelial homeostasis and define terminal differentiation as a critical tumour suppressive mechanism. We further highlight factors with crucial terminal differentiation functions and detail the underlying consequences of their loss. Switching on terminal differentiation in differentiated progenitors is likely to represent an extremely promising novel avenue that may improve therapeutic interventions against OSCC.
Angiotensin II-Induced Long Non-Coding RNA Alivec Regulates Chondrogenesis in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in Angiotensin II (AngII) signaling but their role in chondrogenic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unknown. We describe a novel AngII-induced lncRNA Alivec (Angiotensin II-induced lncRNA in VSMCs eliciting chondrogenic phenotype) implicated in VSMC chondrogenesis. In rat VSMCs, Alivec and the nearby gene Acan, a chondrogenic marker, were induced by growth factors AngII and PDGF and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. AngII co-regulated Alivec and Acan through the activation of AngII type1 receptor signaling and Sox9, a master transcriptional regulator of chondrogenesis. Alivec knockdown with GapmeR antisense-oligonucleotides attenuated the expression of AngII-induced chondrogenic marker genes, including Acan, and inhibited the chondrogenic phenotype of VSMCs. Conversely, Alivec overexpression upregulated these genes and promoted chondrogenic transformation. RNA-pulldown coupled to mass-spectrometry identified Tropomyosin-3-alpha and hnRNPA2B1 proteins as Alivec-binding proteins in VSMCs. Furthermore, male rats with AngII-driven hypertension showed increased aortic expression of Alivec and Acan. A putative human ortholog ALIVEC, was induced by AngII in human VSMCs, and this locus was found to harbor the quantitative trait loci affecting blood pressure. Together, these findings suggest that AngII-regulated lncRNA Alivec functions, at least in part, to mediate the AngII-induced chondrogenic transformation of VSMCs implicated in vascular dysfunction and hypertension.
Seasonal Nutritional Profile of Gelidium corneum (Rhodophyta, Gelidiaceae) from the Center of Portugal

Gelidium corneum is a well-known agarophyte, harvested worldwide for its high agar quality. However, the species also exhibits an interesting nutritional profile, but with seasonal variations. Therefore, to evaluate the nutritional value of G. corneum, ash, crude protein, total lipids, and carbohydrates were analyzed at different times of the year. The heavy metals mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and tin, as well as iodine were also measured. Finally, the seasonal antioxidant capacity of G. corneum extracts was evaluated. Our results indicate that the biomass is rich in protein (up to 16.25 ± 0.33%) and carbohydrates (up to 39.5 ± 3.29%), and low in lipids (up to 2.75 ± 0.28%), and especially in the summer, the AI, TI indexes, n-6/n-3 and h/H ratios (0.93, 0.6, 0.88 and 1.08, respectively) are very interesting. None of the contaminants exceeded the legally established limits, and the iodine values were adequate for a healthy diet. Finally, the antioxidant capacity is fair, with the DPPH ≤ 10.89 ± 1.46%, and ABTS ≤ 13.90 ± 1.54% inhibition, FRAP ≤ 0.91 ± 0.22 AAE.g−1, and TPC ≤ 6.82 ± 0.26 GAE.g−1. The results show that G. corneum is an attractive resource, with potential use as food or as a food supplement.