Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ELF4 Is a Target of miR-124 and Promotes Neuroblastoma Proliferation and Undifferentiated State

13-Cis-retinoic acid (RA) is typically used in postremission maintenance therapy in patients with neuroblastoma. However, side effects and recurrence are often observed. We investigated the use of miRNAs as a strategy to replace RA as promoters of differentiation. miR-124 was identified as the top candidate in a functional screen. Genomic target analysis indicated that repression of a network of transcription factors (TF) could be mediating most of miR-124's effect in driving differentiation. To advance miR-124 mimic use in therapy and better define its mechanism of action, a high-throughput siRNA morphologic screen focusing on its TF targets was conducted and ELF4 was identified as a leading candidate for miR-124 repression. By altering its expression levels, we showed that ELF4 maintains neuroblastoma in an undifferentiated state and promotes proliferation. Moreover, ELF4 transgenic expression was able to counteract the neurogenic effect of miR-124 in neuroblastoma cells. With RNA sequencing, we established the main role of ELF4 to be regulation of cell-cycle progression, specifically through the DREAM complex. Interestingly, several cell-cycle genes activated by ELF4 are repressed by miR-124, suggesting that they might form a TF–miRNA regulatory loop. Finally, we showed that high ELF4 expression is often observed in neuroblastomas and is associated with poor survival. Implications: miR-124 induces neuroblastoma differentiation partially through the downregulation of TF ELF4, which drives neuroblastoma proliferation and its undifferentiated phenotype.
A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis Model for SH-SAW Torque Sensors

In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D-FEA) model for shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) torque sensors is presented. Torque sensors play a significant role in various fields to ensure a reliable torque transmission in drivelines. Featuring the advantages of high propagation velocity, large Q-value, and good power capacity, SH-SAW-based torque sensors are promising but very few studies have been carried out. In order to develop a successful sensor, understanding the characteristics of SH-SAWs produced on piezoelectric substrates and torque sensing modes is indispensable. Therefore, in this study, we first investigated the effect on the generation of waves when different Y-cut quartz substrates are engaged. Thereafter, analyses and comparisons regarding the effect on the polarized displacement, wave guidance, and wave mode were conducted for different configurations of wave-guide layer thickness to wavelength ratios (hlayer/λ) and materials. The results showed that Y-cut quartz at an angle close to 36° with a gold (Au) layer varying from hAu/λ = 0.02 to 0.03 thickness could be the most effective configuration for the excitation of SH-SAWs, compared to other combinations using platinum (Pt), titanium (Ti), and silicon dioxide (SiO2). Finally, based on the FEA SH-SAW torque sensor model configured with a Y + 36° quartz substrate and 0.025 λ-thick gold layer, the relationship between the applied torque and sensed voltage was examined, which shows a perfect linearity demonstrating the performance of the sensors.
The Health Belief Model and Sick Role Behavior*

Most research directed a t understanding ”activity undertaken by those who consider themselves ill, for the purpose of getting well” has yielded an unsystematic multiplicity of findings which are often either not predictive of such patient compliance,’” or are mutually contradictory.7. 8 These difficulties arise, in part, from past dependence on a “medical” model of patient behavior, which stresses such easily identified and quantified dimensions as characteristics of the patient (e.g., demographic and social),6~B~lO the regimen (e.g., type, complexity, discomfort, duration),ll-l3 and the illness (e.g., medically-defined seriousness, duration, disability). 7,14J5
The Genetics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Overview of Candidate Gene Systematic Reviews and Genome-Wide Association Studies

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition with mechanisms likely to involve the interaction between genetics and lifestyle. Familial clustering of PCOS symptoms is well documented, providing evidence for a genetic contribution to the condition. This overview aims firstly to systematically summarise the current literature surrounding genetics and PCOS, and secondly, to assess the methodological quality of current systematic reviews and identify limitations. Four databases were searched to identify candidate gene systematic reviews, and quality was assessed with the AMSTAR tool. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were identified by a semi structured literature search. Of the candidate gene systematic reviews, 17 were of high to moderate quality and four were of low quality. A total of 19 gene loci have been associated with risk of PCOS in GWAS, and 11 of these have been replicated across two different ancestries. Gene loci were located in the neuroendocrine, metabolic, and reproductive pathways. Overall, the gene loci with the most robust findings were THADA, FSHR, INS-VNTR, and DENND1A, that now require validation. This overview also identified limitations of the current literature and important methodological considerations for future genetic studies. Much work remains to identify causal variants and functional relevance of genes associated with PCOS.
Development of a universal short patient satisfaction questionnaire on the basis of SERVQUAL: Psychometric analyses with data of diabetes and stroke patients from six different European countries

Objective A short questionnaire which can be applied for assessing patient satisfaction in different contexts and different countries is to be developed. Methods Six items addressing tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and communication were analysed. The first five items stem from SERVQUAL (SERVice QUALity), the last stems from the discussion about SERVQUAL. The analyses were performed with data from 12 surveys conducted in six different countries (England, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain) covering two different conditions (type 2 diabetes, stroke). Sample sizes for included participants are 247 in England, 160 in Finland, 231 in Germany, 152 in Greece, 316 in the Netherlands and 96 in Spain for the diabetes surveys; and 101 in England, 139 in Finland, 107 in Germany, 58 in Greece, 185 in the Netherlands, and 92 in Spain for the stroke surveys. The items were tested by (1) bivariate correlations between the items and an item addressing ‘general satisfaction’, (2) multivariate regression analyses with ‘general satisfaction’ as criterion and the items as predictors, and (3) bivariate correlations between sum scores and ‘general satisfaction’. Results The correlations with ‘general satisfaction’ are 0.48 for tangibles, 0.56 for reliability, 0.58 for responsiveness, 0.47 for assurance, 0.53 for empathy, and 0.56 for communication. In the multivariate regression analysis, the regression coefficient for assurance is significantly negative while all other regression coefficients are significantly positive. In a multivariate regression analysis without the item ‘assurance’ all regression coefficients are positive. The correlation between the sum score and ‘general satisfaction’ is 0.608 for all six items and 0.618 for the finally remaining five items. The country specific results are similar. Conclusions The five items which remain after removing ‘assurance’, i.e. the SERVQUAL-MOD-5, constitute a short patient satisfaction index which can usefully be applied for different medical conditions and in different countries.
Acupotomy by an ultrasound-guided technique

Abstract Background: Acupotomy is a miniature surgery instrument. It can cut and detach the abnormal, cicatricial, and contractured tissues by causing only microtrauma. Acupotomy has been widely used clinically with a satisfactory efficacy. With the development of ultrasound technology, ultrasound-guided acupotomy has shown great value in clinical practice. But it is not yet clear that ultrasound-guided acupotomy is very effective and safe. Therefore, it is important to re-evaluate the available evidence to reach a relatively convincing conclusion that acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique is a better choice than traditional acupotomy. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a method for evaluating the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique. Methods: This systematic review will be performed by searching relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) without any language or publication status restriction from inception to December 2019 by 2 researchers in nine databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese literature databases, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database [CBM], China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI], China Science and Journal Database [CSJD], and Wanfang Database). All RCTs evaluating acupotomy by the ultrasound-guided technique will be included in this study. Visual analog scale (VAS) and change of symptom will be assessed as the primary outcomes. The change in the ultrasound image, safety and adverse events, and acceptability will be assessed as secondary outcomes. The selection of study, data collection and analysis, and assessment of the study quality will be completed independently by 2 researchers. RevMan v.5. 3 will be used for meta-analysis if no significant heterogeneity is detected. Continuous outcomes will be presented as the mean difference (MD) or standardized MD, while dichotomous data will be expressed as the relative risk. Results: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of QL and AR to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique. Conclusion: This systematic review will provide evidence to judge whether acupotomy by ultrasound-guided technique is an effective the efficacy and safety intervention. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018109070.
Self-assembled monolayer for polymer-semiconductor interface with improved interfacial thermal management.

Reliability and lifespan of highly miniaturized and integrated devices will be effectively improved if excessive accumulated heat can be quickly transported to heat sinks. In this study, both molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments were performed to demonstrate that self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have high potential in interfacial thermal management and can enhance thermal transport across polystyrene (PS) / silicon (Si) interface, modelling the common polymer/semiconductor interfaces in actual devices. The influence of packing density and alkyl-chain length of SAMs are investigated. Firstly, MD simulations show that the interfacial thermal transport efficiency of SAM is higher with high packing density. The interfacial thermal conductance (ITC) between PS and Si can be improved up to 127 ± 9 MW m-2 K-1, close to the ITC across metal and semiconductor interface. At moderate packing density, the SAMs with less than 8 carbon atoms in alkyl-chain show superior improvements over those with more carbons due to the assembled structure variation. Secondly, time-domain thermoreflectance technique was employed to characterize the ITCs of a bunch of Al/PS/SAM/Si samples. C6-SAM enhances the ITC by 5 folds, from 11 ± 1 MW m-2 K-1 to 56 ± 17 MW m-2 K-1. The interfacial thermal management efficiency will weaken when alkyl-chain exceeds 8 carbon atoms, which agrees with the ITC trend from MD simulations at moderate packing density. The relationship between SAM morphology and interfacial thermal management efficiency is also discussed in detail. This study demonstrates the feasibility of molecular level design for interfacial thermal management from both theoretical calculation and experiment, and may provide a new idea for improving the heat dissipation efficiency of micro devices.
The Characteristics of Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulfur Transformation During Cattle Manure Composting—Based on Different Aeration Strategies

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of gaseous emission (methane—CH4, carbon dioxide—CO2, nitrous oxide—N2O, nitric oxide—NO, hydrogen sulfide—H2S and sulfur dioxide—SO2) and the conservation of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) during cattle manure composting under different aeration strategies. Three aeration strategies were set as C60, C100, and I60, representing the different combinations of aeration method (continuous—C or intermittent—I) and aeration rate (60 or 100 L·min−1·m−3). Results showed that C, N, S mass was reduced by 48.8–53.1%, 29.8–35.9% and 19.6–21.9%, respectively, after the composing process. Among the three strategies, the intermittent aeration treatment I60 obtained the highest N2O emissions, resulting in the highest N loss and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when the GHG emissions from power consumption were not considered. Within two continuous aeration treatments, lower aeration rates in C60 caused lower CO2, N2O, NO, and SO2 emissions but higher CH4 emissions than those from C100. Meanwhile, C and N losses were also lowest in the C60 treatment. H2S emission was not detected because of the more alkaline pH of the compost material. Thus, C60 can be recommended for cattle manure composting because of its nutrient conservation and mitigation of major gas and GHG emissions.
The psychoactive cathinone derivative pyrovalerone alters locomotor activity and decreases dopamine receptor expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Pyrovalerone (4‐methyl‐β‐keto‐prolintane) is a synthetic cathinone (beta‐keto‐amphetamine) derivative. Cathinones are a concern as drugs of abuse, as related street drugs such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone have garnered significant attention. The primary mechanism of action of cathinones is to inhibit reuptake transporters (dopamine and norepinephrine) in reward centers of the central nervous system.
Complicated grief therapy for clinicians: An evidence‐based protocol for mental health practice

In the United States alone, about 10 million persons are newly bereaved each year. Most do not require professional intervention or treatment, but many can benefit from targeted support. However, a significant minority of bereaved persons experience intense, prolonged and disabling grief symptoms associated with considerable morbidity and mortality (aka, “Complicated Grief”). Individuals with Complicated Grief require more formal interventions. In this article, we describe a compassionate and evidence‐based approach to bereavement‐care that can be provided in varied mental health settings. For individuals struggling with acute grief, clinicians can help by providing recognition and acceptance of the grief, eliciting and compassionately listening to their narratives of their relationship with the deceased and the death, and regularly “checking in” regarding their grief experiences. For bereaved persons who are experiencing Complicated Grief, we recommend an evidence‐based approach to bereavement‐care, complicated grief therapy (CGT), that involves helping the individual accept and cope with the loss while simultaneously assisting them with adaptation to life without the deceased. We describe ways of implementing CGT's seven core themes: (1) understanding and accepting grief, (2) managing painful emotions, (3) planning for a meaningful future, (4) strengthening ongoing relationships, (5) telling the story of the death, (6) learning to live with reminders, and (7) establishing an enduring connection with memories of the person who died. This work can be done in a variety of settings, taking into consideration the needs of the patient, the limitations of the setting, and the skills and experiences of each clinician.
Array MEMS Vector Hydrophone Oriented at Different Direction Angles

A new type of array MEMS (Microelectro Mechanical Systems) vector hydrophone has been proposed to solve the left-right ambiguity problem that is commonly found in current ones. Meanwhile, the advantages of good sensitivity and low fabrication cost are maintained. The array MEMS vector hydrophone is integrated by four units oriented at different direction angles. By the aid of this kind of vector hydrophone, not only the exact direction of the sound source can be measured, but also the position obtained. The working principle of the array microstructure has been analyzed and simulated. The result shows that the position of the sound source can be well determined. The prototype of the hydrophone is fabricated based on standard MEMS technology, and its performance is tested in a standing wave tube and an anechoic tank. The testing results show that the array hydrophone exhibits a good consistency of all the four units and satisfactory performance. More importantly, this array hydrophone exhibits excellent ability of positioning with the relatively small angle error. Thus, a MEMS hydrophone with multiple functions and relatively high performance is realized, which has important theoretical and practical significance in relevant applications such as the small-size underwater vehicles.
Nasopharyngeal Lymphoma: A 22-Year Review of 35 Cases

Nasopharyngeal (NP) lymphoma is a rare primary malignancy of the head and neck and represents a minority of malignancies originating from the nasopharynx. For this reason, there are limited data regarding epidemiologic and treatment outcomes. This is a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with NP lymphoma from 1995 to 2017 at a tertiary medical center. The patients’ demographic data, clinical presentations, treatment modalities, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNA (EBER) staining, and outcomes were investigated. We considered a total of 35 patients, including 20 males and 15 females, diagnosed with NP lymphoma. The age ranged from 17 to 88 years (mean = 59.6). The common presentations were nasal obstruction, epistaxis, and neck mass. In our study, the most common pathological diagnosis of NP lymphoma was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (n = 17), followed by NK/T cell lymphoma (NKTCL) (n = 9). Other pathologic diagnoses included extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALToma), small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma. There were 13 cases showing EBER positivity, including 7 cases of NKTCL, 5 cases of DLBCL, and 1 case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Most patients received chemotherapy alone, while some patients received both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Seven patients had local recurrence, and fewer than half of the patients (n = 16) were alive at the time of the study (mean follow-up duration: 54.4 months). The five-year overall survival was 50.4%. NP lymphoma is very rare, and the most common pathologic type is DLBCL. EBER positivity is found in both NKTCL and DLBCL. Identifying more effective therapeutic agents is extremely important to improve patients’ survival.
Exposure to High-Intensity Light Systemically Induces Micro-Transcriptomic Changes in Arabidopsis thaliana Roots

In full sunlight, plants often experience a light intensity exceeding their photosynthetic capacity and causing the activation of a set of photoprotective mechanisms. Numerous reports have explained, on the molecular level, how plants cope with light stress locally in photosynthesizing leaves; however, the response of below-ground organs to above-ground perceived light stress is still largely unknown. Since small RNAs are potent integrators of multiple processes including stress responses, here, we focus on changes in the expression of root miRNAs upon high-intensity-light (HL) stress. To achieve this, we used Arabidopsis thaliana plants growing in hydroponic conditions. The expression of several genes that are known as markers of redox changes was examined over time, with the results showing that typical HL stress signals spread to the below-ground organs. Additionally, micro-transcriptomic analysis of systemically stressed roots revealed a relatively limited reaction, with only 17 up-regulated and five down-regulated miRNAs. The differential expression of candidates was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Interestingly, the detected differences in miRNA abundance disappeared when the roots were separated from the shoots before HL treatment. Thus, our results show that the light stress signal is induced in rosettes and travels through the plant to affect root miRNA levels. Although the mechanism of this regulation is unknown, the engagement of miRNA may create a regulatory platform orchestrating adaptive responses to various simultaneous stresses. Consequently, further research on systemically HL-regulated miRNAs and their respective targets has the potential to identify attractive sequences for engineering stress tolerance in plants.
Diagnostic and Clinical Utility of Clinical Exome Sequencing in Children With Moderate and Severe Global Developmental Delay / Intellectual Disability

Clinical exome sequencing is currently being used in diagnostics of various genetic disorders, but studies supporting its application in clinical setting are scarce. The aim of this study was to establish diagnostic and clinical utility of clinical exome sequencing in patients with moderate and severe global developmental delay/intellectual disability. Clinical diagnosis was made in 49 of 88 investigated patients, with overall diagnostic yield of 55.7%. Molecular findings are characterized in detail, including the impact of newly made diagnosis on clinical management. Several previously unreported genotype-phenotype correlations and 33 novel variants are described. Genetic and clinical data were shared through publicly available database. In conclusion, clinical exome sequencing allows identification of causative variants in a significant proportion of patients in investigated clinical subgroup. Compared to whole exome sequencing, it shows similar diagnostic and clinical utility with reduced costs, which could be of particular importance for institutions with limited resources.
MicroRNA‐134‐5p inhibition rescues long‐term plasticity and synaptic tagging/capture in an Aβ(1–42)‐induced model of Alzheimer’s disease

Progressive memory loss is one of the most common characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has been shown to be caused by several factors including accumulation of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Synaptic plasticity and associative plasticity, the cellular basis of memory, are impaired in AD. Recent studies suggest a functional relevance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating plasticity changes in AD, as their differential expressions were reported in many AD brain regions. However, the specific role of these miRNAs in AD has not been elucidated. We have reported earlier that late long‐term potentiation (late LTP) and its associative mechanisms such as synaptic tagging and capture (STC) were impaired in Aβ (1–42)‐induced AD condition. This study demonstrates that expression of miR‐134‐5p, a brain‐specific miRNA is upregulated in Aβ (1–42)‐treated AD hippocampus. Interestingly, the loss of function of miR‐134‐5p restored late LTP and STC in AD. In AD brains, inhibition of miR‐134‐5p elevated the expression of plasticity‐related proteins (PRPs), cAMP‐response‐element binding protein (CREB‐1) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which are otherwise downregulated in AD condition. The results provide the first evidence that the miR‐134‐mediated post‐transcriptional regulation of CREB‐1 and BDNF is an important molecular mechanism underlying the plasticity deficit in AD; thus demonstrating the critical role of miR‐134‐5p as a potential therapeutic target for restoring plasticity in AD condition.