Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two common polymorphic variants of OATP4A1 as potential risk factors for colorectal cancer

Genetic variations in the organic-anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)-encoding solute carrier of organic anions (SLCO) genes can promote cancer development and progression. The overexpression of solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 4A1 (OATP4A1), a transporter for steroid hormones, prostaglandins, and bile acids, has been previously associated with tumor recurrence and progression in colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between 2 frequent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLCO4A1 (rs34419428, R70Q; rs1047099G, V78I) and CRC predisposition. Following restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR analysis in 178 patients with CRC [Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage I/II] and 65 healthy controls, no significant difference was observed in allele frequency and the number of heterozygous/homozygous individuals between the groups. Notably, the R70Q minor allele was identified to be associated with the V78I minor allele in the genome. Comparing of the individual genotypes of CRC patients to clinical data, including sex, UICC-stage and relapse revealed no increased risk for CRC. In addition, the OATP4A1 immunoreactivity assay in paraffin-embedded CRC and adjacent non-tumorous mucosa sections, examined using quantitative microscopy image analysis, did not reveal any association with these polymorphisms. No significant differences were observed in the expression levels, localization, and sodium fluorescein transport capacity among the OATP4A1 variants, which was studied using functional assays in Sf9-insect and A431 tumor cells overexpressing the 2 single and a double mutant OATP4A1 SNP variants. These results suggested that the 2 most frequent polymorphisms located in the first intracellular loop of OATP4A1 do not associate with CRC predisposition and tumor recurrence. They are unlikely to affect the outcome of CRC in patients.
Augmented Convolutional LSTMs for Generation of High-Resolution Climate Change Projections

Projection of changes in extreme indices of climate variables such as temperature and precipitation are critical to assess the potential impacts of climate change on human-made and natural systems, including critical infrastructures and ecosystems. While impact assessment and adaptation planning rely on high-resolution projections (typically in the order of a few kilometers), state-of-the-art Earth System Models (ESMs) are available at spatial resolutions of few hundreds of kilometers. Current solutions to obtain high-resolution projections of ESMs include downscaling approaches that consider the information at a coarse-scale to make predictions at local scales. Complex and non-linear interdependence among local climate variables (e.g., temperature and precipitation) and large-scale predictors (e.g., pressure fields) motivate the use of neural network-based super-resolution architectures. In this work, we present auxiliary variables informed spatio-temporal neural architecture for statistical downscaling. The current study performs daily downscaling of precipitation variable from an ESM output at 1.15 degrees (115 km) to 1/4 degrees (25 km) over one of the most climatically diversified countries, India. We showcase significant improvement gain against two popular state-of-the-art baselines with a better ability to predict statistics of extreme events. To facilitate reproducible research, we make available all the codes, processed datasets, and trained models in the public domain.
Spawning methods affect the reproductive efficiency of piracanjuba fish (Brycon orbignyanus) in restocking programs

Background: Preserving the genetic diversity of wild fish is an important consideration for restocking programs, as inbreeding can compromise progeny survival as well as impact the resilience of natural populations. Objective: To evaluate the influence of spawning method: semi-natural (SN) or strip-spawning (ST), and the number of breeders (1♀:3♂ and 2♀:6♂) on the reproductive efficiency and genetic diversity of B. orbignyanus progeny destined for restoration of wild stocks. Methods: Rates of fertilization, hatching and broodfish mortality were recorded. For genetic evaluations (allele frequency, observed and expected heterozygosity, Shannon index, inbreeding coefficient, molecular variance analysis, and genetic differentiation), breeders (n=24), and their progenies (90 larvae/treatment) were sampled and analyzed using
The use of GAD-7 as a screening tool for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in patients with epilepsy

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disease affecting approximately 2-3% of world’s population [1]. Individuals who suffer from this condition are more predisposed to present comorbid psychiatric disorders (approximated prevalence of 6%). When considering mental disorders related to epilepsy, prevalence occurs as follows: Depression (24-74%), Anxiety Disorders (10-25%), Psychosis (2-7%) and Personality Disorders (1-2%) [2]. This association complicates treatment and clinical management of those patients [3,4]. Despite the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in epilepsy, many of them remain underdiagnosed and untreated [5]. The crescent number of studies concerning this topic is an important mark for the multidisciplinarity of epileptology.
A unified meshfree pseudospectral method for solving both classical and fractional PDEs

In this paper, we propose a meshfree method based on the Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) to solve both classical and fractional PDEs. The proposed method takes advantage of the analytical Laplacian of Gaussian functions so as to accommodate the discretization of the classical and fractional Laplacian in a single framework and avoid the large computational cost for numerical evaluation of the fractional derivatives. These important merits distinguish it from other numerical methods for fractional PDEs. Moreover, our method is simple and easy to handle complex geometry and local refinement, and its computer program implementation remains the same for any dimension $d \ge 1$. Extensive numerical experiments are provided to study the performance of our method in both approximating the Dirichlet Laplace operators and solving PDE problems. Compared to the recently proposed Wendland RBF method, our method exactly incorporates the Dirichlet boundary conditions into the scheme and is free of the Gibbs phenomenon as observed in the literature. Our studies suggest that to obtain good accuracy the shape parameter cannot be too small or too big, and the optimal shape parameter might depend on the RBF center points and the solution properties.
CONTROL OF FLASHING IN FIREFLIES. II. ROLE OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

1. The central nervous system is shown to be involved in (a) normal spontaneous flashing, both single and multiple, (b) some types of post-stimulatory flashing and scintillation, (c) comatose behavior and refractoriness to stimulation.2. Two and probably three latencies in response to head and anterior cord stimulation exist. At present it is not possible to distinguish between cord pathways (conducting at ca. 15 and 50 cm./sec.) and central delay as possible causes of these latency differences.3. From posterior cord and from lantern surface it is possible to record small and characteristic volleys of action potentials associated 1:1 with spontaneous flashing and involving latencies comparable with those previously found for electrical stimulation. Multiple volleys may invoke multiple flashes. Flash intensity increases with both volley frequency and spike frequency but there is apparently not a close relation between volley structure and flash contour.4. Electrical stimulation in the eye can either inhibi.
Parasitic metamorphosis development and effective accumulated temperature of glochidia of Lamprotula leai

Pelteobagrus fulvidraco was selected as host for the glochidia of Lamprotula leai in this study.The important biological characteristics of glochidia L.leai,such as the procession of parasitic metamorphosis development,biological zero temperature and effective accumulated temperature of parasitic metamorphosis development,were studied.The results showed that the mature glochidia were parasitized to the gills,fins or beards of host fish(P.fulvidraco) and started the parasitic metamorphosis development.The parasitic period lasted 8 days at water temperature of(25±1)℃. The ventral margin of glochidia attached to the fish firstly.After 5 hours post-infection,most of the glochidia were wrapped by the tissue of the fish.In about 2 day after attachment,the glochidium was completely encapsulated by host tissue;meanwhile,the inner byssuses disappeared.In the process of parasitic metamorphosis development of glochidia,the colors of glochidium shell became dark gradually.The shell became opaque after parasitizing in 7 days.At the same time,a few of glochidia metamorphosed into juveniles.A large number of juveniles left the fish host on the 8th day after attachment.In 9 days the juveniles completely left the fish host after parasitizing.There was no significant change on shell length,shell height and length of the intertwist part of glochidia during the whole parasitic phase.The biological zero temperature was 12.8 ℃,and the effective accumulated temperature was 100.2 ℃·d.
Insufficient nocturnal sleep was associated with a higher risk of fibrosis in patients with diabetes with metabolic associated fatty liver disease

Background: Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) refers to metabolic dysfunction associated with fatty liver disease, and liver fibrosis stage is closely connected with liver-related and all-cause mortality. This study aimed to explore the association of sleep duration with liver fibrosis in the diabetic subgroup of the MAFLD population. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 342 patients with MAFLD. Anthropometric measurements, clinical and biochemical markers, and lifestyle parameters were collected. Fibrosis was defined as fibrosis-4 ⩾1.3. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to match cases. Student’s t-test and chi-square tests were applied for group comparisons, and binary regression models were used to explore the independent risk factors of liver fibrosis. Results: Among the 342 subjects, 87 (25.4%) were diagnosed with fibrosis and 255 (74.6%) without. Baseline characteristic comparisons showed differences in age and diabetes duration between the two groups, and adjustment was made by PSM. Ultimately, the fibrosis group and nonfibrosis group each had 87 patients. The fibrosis group had shorter duration of nocturnal sleep (6.77 ± 1.59 h) than the nonfibrosis group (7.77 ± 1.92 h, p < 0.001). More patients in the fibrosis group stayed up late at night (32.2% versus 14.9%, p < 0.01). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) areas were larger in the fibrosis group than in the nonfibrosis group (p < 0.001). Glycemic profile, lipid profile, gamma-glutamyl transferase level, and serum uric acid level were not significantly different between the two groups. In the multivariate regression analysis, nocturnal sleep and VAT areas were independently associated with liver fibrosis, with odds ratios of 0.694 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.551–0.875, p < 0.01] for nocturnal sleep and 1.031 (95% CI 1.014–1.048, p < 0.001) for VAT areas. Conclusion: Insufficient nocturnal sleep was independently related to a higher risk of fibrosis. Sleep modification might be beneficial in promoting the health of patients with MAFLD.
Gilbert syndrome with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with persistent unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia: A case report

Gilbert syndrome (GS) is a hereditary unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia that results from mutations in the bilirubin uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) gene. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently no reports that focus on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) coexisting with GS. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and genotype of UGT1A1 in a Chinese patient with SLE and GS. Complete medical records and laboratory data were reviewed for a patient with SLE referred to Ruijin Hospital (Shanghai, China) for treatment between March 2016 and January 2020. Genetic analysis of the UGT1A1 gene was performed by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. The serum total bilirubin and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations on admission were 96.2 and 86.8 µmol/l, respectively. The homozygous mutation c.1456T>G (p.Y486D) in exon 5 was detected in this patient. The patient had a good response to phenobarbital orally at a dose of 30 mg/day and a decrease in serum bilirubin was observed. Elevated unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in SLE needs to be differentiated from other diseases, such as GS, which can be diagnosed by UGT1A1 genetic sequencing.
Nucleosomes effectively shield DNA from radiation damage in living cells

Abstract Eukaryotic DNA is organized in nucleosomes, which package DNA and regulate its accessibility to transcription, replication, recombination and repair. Here, we show that in living cells nucleosomes protect DNA from high-energy radiation and reactive oxygen species. We combined sequence-based methods (ATAC-seq and BLISS) to determine the position of both nucleosomes and double strand breaks (DSBs) in the genome of nucleosome-rich malignant mesothelioma cells, and of the same cells partially depleted of nucleosomes. The results were replicated in the human MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell line. We found that, for each genomic sequence, the probability of DSB formation is directly proportional to the fraction of time it is nucleosome-free; DSBs accumulate distal from the nucleosome dyad axis. Nucleosome free regions and promoters of actively transcribed genes are more sensitive to DSB formation, and consequently to mutation. We argue that this may be true for a variety of chemical and physical DNA damaging agents.
Outcomes of the Star Repair for Large and Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: A Modified Triple-Row Technique

Background: Large and massive rotator cuff repairs constitute a true challenge for arthroscopic shoulder surgeons. Retear rates as high as 20% have been reported after arthroscopic double-row and suture-bridge techniques used for these tears. Hypothesis: A modified triple-row repair will provide satisfactory clinical results with lower risk for retear. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Between March 2016 and August 2017, a total of 52 patients with large and massive rotator cuff tears received a modified triple-row cuff repair. A middle repositioning anchor was inserted between the medial and the lateral rows. The middle anchor sutures were loaded to lateral knotless anchors in a star-shaped configuration. Functional evaluation was performed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, University of California, Los Angeles score, Constant-Murley score, and Simple Shoulder Test. Subjective evaluation was carried out using a visual analog scale for pain and a subjective shoulder value score. Health-related as well as disease-specific quality-of-life scores were also used. Retear rates were assessed by means of musculoskeletal ultrasonography. Patients were evaluated for a minimum of 24 months. Results: This study included 34 female and 18 male patients with a mean age of 57.17 ± 6.7 years. There were 35 patients (67.3%) with large tears and 17 patients (32.7%) with massive tears. Significant improvement from preoperative values was seen in all functional and subjective scores (P < .001). The mean forward flexion was 163° ± 9.7°, and the mean lateral abduction was 159.4° ± 9.4°. All patients had excellent scores on the general health-related and disease-specific quality-of-life scales. No retears were reported at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusion: The star-shaped, modified triple-row cuff repair is a valid and effective solution for surgical management of large and massive rotator cuff tears, providing excellent results and low risk for retears.
Evaluation of the active site of phenylalanine dehydrogenase isolated from Bacillus badius using homology based modeling

Introduction: The enzyme, Phenylalanine dehydrogenase (L-phe DH; NAD oxidoreductase, deaminating; EC 1.4.1.20) belongs to the amino acid dehydrogenase family of enzymes which catalyzes the reversible oxidative deamination reaction of L-phenylalanine to their respective α- ketoacids. An assay technique with a high sensitivity for blood L-phenylalanine level, an important marker for the screening of Phenylketonuria (PKU), has been established by means of PheDH. This enzyme is being used as a commercial and valuable biocatalyst in medical and pharmaceutical industries. The enzymes of this family are closely related in structure and function. Methods: Swiss-Pdb Viewer used for analysis and Rhodococcus sp. M4 was chosen because of the availability of several crystal structures with bound substrates and its high specific activity. Results : Rhodococcus sp. M4 and B. badius PheDHs are very different from each other on a sequence level, sharing only 32% identity and 50% similarity. Coming from the same structural sub-family, they share a much stronger correlation in their folding motifs. Conclusions: Since there currently is no crystal structure available for the B. badius PheDH, the sequence was folded over the 1BW9 crystal structure and superimposed over the original scaffold using SuperPose.
Optical Response of GaAs0.75Sb0.25 Nanosheet for Dependent Pressure

The study analyzed the optical response of GaAs 0.75 Sb 0.25 nanosheet under high pressure. It is the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) was employed by means of a simulation program, which is called CASTEP. Under different pressure (P = 0, 2, and 4 GPa). Geometry optimized parameters were calculated for the nanosheet. The optical data alter in accordance with high pressure. The increase of pressure in the nanosheet led to a rise in p = 4 GPa and a decline in p = 2 GPa of the optical energy band gap, the static dielectric constant 𝜀 1 (0), and optical conductivity. The discussions of the real 𝜀 1 (𝜔) and imaginary 𝜀 2 (𝜔) sections of the dielectric function, optical band gap energy, optical absorption, and optical conductivity were included.
Biosynthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Bacillus Subtilis: Characterization and Nutritive Significance for Promoting Plant Growth in Zea mays L

Nano-fertilizer(s), an emerging field of agriculture, is alternate option for enhancement of plant growth replacing the synthetic fertilizers. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can be used as the zinc source for plants. The present investigation was carried out to assess the role of ZnO NPs in growth promotion of maize plants. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs (using Bacillus sp) were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Zeta potential. Different concentrations of ZnO NPs (2, 4, 8, 16 mg/L) were explored in pot culture experiment. Size of ZnO NPs ranged between 16 and 20 nm. A significant increase in growth parameters like shoot length (61.7%), root length (56.9%) and significantly higher level of protein was observed in the treated plants. The overall pattern for growth biomarkers including the protein contents was maximum at 8 mg/L of ZnO NPs. It was observed that application of biosynthesized ZnO NPs has improved majority of growth biomarkers including plant growth parameters, protein contents and leaf area. Therefore, biosynthesized ZnO NPs could be considered as an alternate source of nutrient in Zn deficient soils for promoting the modern agriculture.
Notes on two closely related spider species of the Pholcus phungiformes species group (Araneae, Pholcidae) from Beijing, China

Abstract The Pholcus phungiformes species group is highly diverse and currently contains 53 species. In this study, Pholcus tongyaoi Wang & Yao, sp. nov. (male, female) from Huairou District, Beijing, China is described while similar congener Pholcus lexuancanhi Yao, Pham & Li, 2012 from neighboring Haidian District (type locality) is redescribed; the female of P. lexuancanhi is described for the first time. In addition, the DNA barcode COI for the two species was obtained to estimate p-distance.
The economic impacts of learning losses

The worldwide school closures in early 2020 led to losses in learning that will not easily be made up for even if schools quickly return to their prior performance levels. These losses will have lasting economic impacts both on the affected students and on each nation unless they are effectively remediated. While the precise learning losses are not yet known, existing research suggests that the students in grades 1-12 affected by the closures might expect some 3 percent lower income over their entire lifetimes. For nations, the lower long-term growth related to such losses might yield an average of 1.5 percent lower annual GDP for the remainder of the century. These economic losses would grow if schools are unable to re-start quickly. The economic losses will be more deeply felt by disadvantaged students. All indications are that students whose families are less able to support out-of-school learning will face larger learning losses than their more advantaged peers, which in turn will translate into deeper losses of lifetime earnings. The present value of the economic losses to nations reach huge proportions. Just returning schools to where they were in 2019 will not avoid such losses. Only making them better can. While a variety of approaches might be attempted, existing research indicates that close attention to the modified re-opening of schools offers strategies that could ameliorate the losses. Specifically, with the expected increase in video-based instruction, matching the skills of the teaching force to the new range of tasks and activities could quickly move schools to heightened performance. Additionally, because the prior disruptions are likely to increase the variations in learning levels within individual classrooms, pivoting to more individualised instruction could leave all students better off as schools resume. As schools move to re-establish their programmes even as the pandemic continues, it is natural to focus considerable attention on the mechanics and logistics of safe re-opening. But the long-term economic impacts also require serious attention, because the losses already suffered demand more than the best of currently considered re-opening approaches.