Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene variation and population structure of Pampus chinensis in the China coast revealed by mitochondrial control region sequences

Abstract Pampus chinensis is a commercially important fishery species in the Indo-West Pacific region. In the present study, the genetic variation of P. chinensis among 10 sampling localities along the China coast and one from the Indonesia region was evaluated using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. As a result, a total of 30 variable sites were detected in the 458 bp segment of the control region among 330 individuals from 11 localities, and 41 haplotypes were defined. Samples in the China coast present a high level of genetic diversity, with the values of haplotype diversity ranged from 0.674 to 0.860, and nucleotide diversity from 0.820% to 1.502%. Pairwise FST statistics showed a moderate genetic divergence (−0.027 to 0.384) among samples from different geographical locations. Median-joining network analysis revealed a similar pattern of phylogeographic structure in samples from Ningbo and Dongxing although they were far apart. Therefore, joint influences of dispersal capability, spatial distance, ocean current and geographic segregation on the formation of the present population structure in P. chinensis was proposed. The results of the present study would be helpful for the sustainable utilization and management of this species.
Desmin Correlated with Cx43 May Facilitate Intercellular Electrical Coupling during Chronic Heart Failure

Desmin is one of five major intermediate filament proteins in cardiomyocytes. Desmin contributes to the maintenance of healthy muscle. The desmin content in cardiomyocytes directly affects the long-term prognosis of patients with heart failure, and lack of desmin leads to myocyte contractile dysfunction. However, the mechanism is elusive. In this study, we measured desmin expression using western blotting and qPCR in the failed hearts of human patients and rats. Our results showed that desmin content was reduced at the protein level in failed hearts and isolated cardiomyocytes. The association of desmin and the gap junction proteins connexin 43 (Cx43) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) was also investigated. Immunoprecipitation assay showed that desmin was associated with Cx43 in cardiomyocytes. To compare the electrical integration of skeletal myoblasts in cocultures with cardiac myocytes, familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) activation rate was found in 33% desmin overexpressing skeletal myoblasts. Desmin not only affected Cx43 and ZO-1 expression but also facilitated the complex of Cx43 and ZO-1 in skeletal myoblasts, which enhanced cell-to-cell electrical coupling of skeletal myoblasts with cardiac myocytes. Desmin has potential as a novel therapeutic target for heart failure. Preservation of desmin may attenuate heart failure.
Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Acacia crassicarpa (Fabaceae)

Abstract Acacia crassicarpa (Fabaceae), a nitrogen-fixing tree species, is critically important for coastal protection in southeast China. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of A. crassicarpa, with a length of 176,493 bp. It contains a pair of inverted repeats (IR 39,851 bp), a large single-copy region (LSC 91,869 bp), and a small single-copy region (SSC 4,922 bp). The complete genome comprises 138 genes, including 93 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Our phylogenetic analysis reveals that A. crassicarpa is closely related to A. podalyriifolia and A. dealbata.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Smilax microphylla C. H. Wright

Abstract Smilax microphylla C. H. Wright is a climbing shrub that can be used for herbal medicine. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. microphylla was determined in this study. It is 158,246 bp in length with a GC content of 37.12%, and consists of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 27,175 bp, a large single copy (LSC) region of 85,229 bp, and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,667 bp. The genome encoded 132 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis showed that S. microphylla is phylogenetically closely related to Smilax china and Smilax nipponica.
SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL AND AMLODIPINE BESYLATE FROM TABLET DOSAGE FORM

Simple, sensitive and specific spectrophotometric method were developed and validated for quantitation of Olmesartan Medoxomil (OLM) and Amlodipine Besylate (AML) in tablet dosage form. The new analytical absorption correction method was developed based on the simultaneous estimation of drugs in a binary mixture without previous separation. The method is based upon determination of OLM at 265 nm and AML at 360 nm in ACN: Water . The system obeyed Beers law over the concentration of 2 to 32 µg ml ‐1 for OLM and 2 to 20 µg ml ‐1 for AML. Interday and intraday studies showed repeatability of the method. Results of tablet analysis in the range of 98.15 to 100.15% and 99.67 to 100.88% for OLM and AML, which indicate repeatability of the method. The recoveries from 101.99 to 100.25 % and 99.66 to 101.15 % for OLM and AML which do not differ from 100% showed that there was no interference from common excipients indicates accuracy and reliability of the method.
Work Outcomes after Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) versus Intensity-Modulated Photon Therapy (IMRT) for Oropharyngeal Cancer

Purpose We compared work outcomes in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), randomized to intensity-modulated proton (IMPT) versus intensity-modulated photon therapy (IMRT) for chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Patients and Methods In 147 patients with stage II-IVB squamous cell OPC participating in patient-reported outcomes assessments, a prespecified secondary aim of a randomized phase II/III trial of IMPT (n = 69) versus IMRT (n = 78), we compared absenteeism, presenteeism (i.e., the extent to which an employee is not fully functional at work), and work productivity losses. We used the work productivity and activity impairment questionnaire at baseline (pre-CRT), at the end of CRT, and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. A one-sided Cochran-Armitage test was used to analyze within-arm temporal trends, and a χ2 test was used to compare between-arm differences. Among working patients, at each follow-up point, a 1-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare work-productivity scores. Results Patient characteristics in IMPT versus IMRT arms were similar. In the IMPT arm, within-arm analysis demonstrated that an increasing proportion of patients resumed working after IMPT, from 60% (40 of 67) pre-CRT and 71% (30 of 42) at 1 year to 78% (18 of 23) at 2 years (P = 0.025). In the IMRT arm, the proportion remained stable, with 57% (43 of 76) pre-CRT, 54% (21 of 39) at 1 year, and 52% (13 of 25) working at 2 years (P = 0.47). By 2 years after CRT, the between-arm difference between patients who had IMPT and those who had IMRT trended toward significance (P = 0.06). Regardless of treatment arm, among working patients, the most severe work impairments occurred from treatment initiation to the end of CRT, with significant recovery from absenteeism, presenteeism, and productivity impairments by the 2-year follow-up (P < 0.001 for all). Higher magnitudes of recovery from absenteeism (at 1 year, P = 0.05; and at 2 years, P = 0.04) and composite work impairment scores (at 1 year, P = 0.04; and at 2 years, P = 0.04) were seen in patients treated with IMPT versus those treated with IMRT. Conclusion In patients with OPC receiving curative CRT, patients randomized to IMPT demonstrated increasing work and productivity recovery trends. Studies are needed to identify mechanisms underlying head and neck CRT treatment causing work disability and impairment.
Key Role of MCUR1 in Malignant Progression of Breast Cancer

Background Mitochondrial calcium uniporter regulator 1 (MCUR1, also known as CCDC90A) is a protein-coding gene that plays a key role in mitochondrial calcium uptake. However, knowledge about its clinical significance in breast cancer is still limited. Methods The expression profile of MCUR1 in various cancers was analyzed via the ONCOMINE and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource databases. The correlation between MCUR1 expression and the clinical features of breast cancer was investigated using UALCAN and MEXPRESS. Immunohistochemical analysis was applied to verify the expression of MCUR1 in breast cancer. The prognostic significance of MCUR1 in breast cancer was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier plotter and the PrognoScan database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore the possible biological functions of MCUR1. In addition, the function of MCUR1 was examined by gene silencing in vitro. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of proteins. Results MCUR1 was overexpressed in breast cancer and significantly related to the clinical characteristics of breast cancer. Results from the public databases and IHC analysis indicated that MCUR1 expression was the highest in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The high expression of MCUR1 was associated with poor overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival, and recurrence-free survival. GSEA showed that the hypoxia pathway, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway, epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathway, and notch signaling pathway were differentially enriched in the high MCUR1 expression phenotype. In vitro experiments showed that MCUR1 knockdown in TNBC cell lines led to a decrease in cellular ROS and weakened cell migration and invasion abilities. Moreover, Western blotting showed that MCUR1 knockdown inhibited the epithelial–mesenchymal transition of TNBC cells via the ROS/Nrf2/Notch pathways. Conclusion Our study suggests that MCUR1 plays a pivotal role in the malignant progression of breast cancer.
Preventing Falls and Malnutrition among Older Adults in Municipal Residential Care in Sweden: A Registry Study

Introduction Older adults in municipal residential care are among the most vulnerable and in need of most care. The prevalence of negative events, such as falls and malnutrition, is increased among these older adults. The need for strategies to prevent falls and malnutrition is emphasized in guidelines and systematic, individualized risk assessments are prerequisites for adequate interventions. Objectives The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the assessed risks of, and risk factors for, falling and malnutrition and the correlations between these assessed risks among older women and men in residential care. Further, the purpose was to investigate the consistency between planned and performed interventions among women and men assessed as at risk. Methods A cross-sectional registry study based on risk assessment data in the Swedish national quality registry, Senior Alert. Altogether, 5,919 older adults ≥65 in nursing homes and dementia care units in 19 municipalities in Sweden were included. Results Of the older adults, 77% were at risk of falls, and 59% were at risk of malnutrition. The most prevalent risk factors for falls were previous falls and not being cognitively oriented; and for malnutrition were having mild or severe dementia or depression. A significant positive correlation between the risk of falling and the risk of malnutrition was found. Less than half of the planned interventions for falls and malnutrition were performed. Care staff’s least common interventions to prevent falls were balance, muscular function, and strength training, which contrasts with the recommendations; interventions to prevent malnutrition were only partially adhering to recommendations. Conclusions This cross-sectional registry study points towards the importance of using an evidence-based approach, based on adherence to recommended guidelines, in the prevention of falling and malnutrition. Further, the implementation of clinical practice guidelines is needed, which requires educational training for care staff and supportive leadership.
Hospital admissions from care homes in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis using linked administrative data

Abstract Background Care home residents have complex healthcare needs but may have faced barriers to accessing hospital treatment during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives To examine trends in the number of hospital admissions for care home residents during the first months of the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods Retrospective analysis of a national linked dataset on hospital admissions for residential and nursing home residents in England (257,843 residents, 45% in nursing homes) between 20 January 2020 and 28 June 2020, compared to admissions during the corresponding period in 2019 (252,432 residents, 45% in nursing homes). Elective and emergency admission rates, normalised to the time spent in care homes across all residents, were derived across the first three months of the pandemic between 1 March and 31 May 2020 and primary admission reasons for this period were compared across years. Results Hospital admission rates rapidly declined during early March 2020 and remained substantially lower than in 2019 until the end of June. Between March and May, 2,960 admissions from residential homes (16.2%) and 3,295 admissions from nursing homes (23.7%) were for suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Rates of other emergency admissions decreased by 36% for residential and by 38% for nursing home residents (13,191 fewer admissions in total). Emergency admissions for acute coronary syndromes fell by 43% and 29% (105 fewer admission) and emergency admissions for stroke fell by 17% and 25% (128 fewer admissions) for residential and nursing home residents, respectively. Elective admission rates declined by 64% for residential and by 61% for nursing home residents (3,762 fewer admissions). Conclusions This is the first study showing that care home residents’ hospital use declined during the first wave of COVID-19, potentially resulting in substantial unmet health need that will need to be addressed alongside ongoing pressures from COVID-19.
Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Carbapenem-Resistant Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates in a Tertiary Hospital in Shanghai, China

Background The convergence of carbapenem-resistance and hypervirulence in Klebsiella pneumoniae has led to a significant public health challenge. In recent years, there have been more and more reports on carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) isolates. Materials and Methods Clinical data of patients infected with CR-hvKP from January 2019 to December 2020 in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively evaluated. The number of isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae (hmKP), carbapenem-resistant hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hmKP) and carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) collected during the period of 2 years was calculated. The antimicrobial resistance gene, virulence-associated gene, capsular serotype gene and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of CR-hvKP isolates were detected by PCR. Results During the study period, a total of 1081 isolates of non-repeat Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated, including 392 isolates of hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae (36.3%), 39 isolates of CR-hmKP (3.6%), and 16 isolates of CR-hvKP (1.5%). About 31.2% (5/16) of CR-hvKP were isolated from 2019, and 68.8% (11/16) of CR-hvKP were isolated from 2020. Among the 16 isolates of CR-hvKP, 13 isolates were ST11 and serotype K64, 1 isolate was ST11 and serotype K47, 1 isolate was ST23 and serotype K1, and 1 isolate was ST86 and serotype K2. The virulence-associated genes entB, fimH, rmpA2, iutA, iucA were present in all of 16 CR-hvKP isolates, followed by mrkD (n=14), rmpA (n=13), aerobactin (n=2), allS (n=1). Sixteen CR-hvKP isolates all carry carbapenemase gene blaKPC-2 and extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene blaSHV. ERIC-PCR DNA fingerprinting results showed that 16 CR-hvKP isolates were highly polymorphic, and there were significant differences in bands among the isolates, presenting a sporadic state. Conclusion Although CR-hvKP was sporadically distributed, it showed an increasing trend year by year. Therefore, clinical attention should be paid, and necessary measures should be taken to avoid the cloning and transmission of superbacterium CR-hvKP.
The Validity of Danish Prescription Data to Measure Use of Aspirin and Other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Quantification of Bias Due to Non-Prescription Drug Use

Purpose To evaluate the potential of Danish prescription registries to capture aspirin and non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and to quantitatively evaluate the magnitude of bias from misclassification of true NSAID and aspirin use as apparent non-use in drug outcome studies. Patients and Methods In a population-based cohort study, we retrieved sales statistics for NSAIDs and aspirins based on nationwide data from the Danish Health Data Authority and the Danish National Prescription Registry. We estimated prevalence of recorded and non-recorded NSAID use in the prescription registry and resulting proportions of true NSAID and aspirin use misclassified as apparent non-use from 1999 to 2019 at population and patient levels. Results The prevalence of true use misclassified as non-use (mainly due to over-the-counter use) peaked at 4.7% in 2012 for NSAIDs overall, 5.5% in 2012 for ibuprofen, and at 5.9% in 2002 for high-dose aspirin. Misclassification of other individual NSAIDs was near null. Misclassification of true low-dose aspirin use as non-use declined during the study period but remained around 1% since 2005. In subgroups of cardiac patients, the highest prevalence of true NSAID use misclassified as non-use was 5.0% in 2002 and 4.3% in 2017. Quantitative bias analyses showed how such misclassification of true NSAID and aspirin use as non-use remained minimal both at population and patient levels. In hypothetical examples simulating real study populations with differing exposure prevalence and prevalence of true NSAID and aspirin use misclassified as apparent non-use, the approximate percentage change due to misclassification of use as non-use did not exceed 5% and in most scenarios stayed around 1%. Conclusion The Danish prescription registries are valid data sources for assessing the effects of aspirin and NSAID use. The influence of non-recorded NSAID and aspirin use on estimates of association is virtually negligible.
Lineage Contribution of PDGFRα-Expressing Cells in the Developing Mouse Eye

PDGFRα signaling is critically important in ocular development. Previous data on PDGFRα lacks an expression map with high spatial and temporal resolution and lineage information. In this study, we aim to present a detailed PDGFRα expression and lineage map from early embryogenesis to adulthood. PDGFRα-CreER; mT/mG reporter mice were analyzed. mEGFP-positive cells contributed to multiple ocular lineages in a spatiotemporally regulated manner. A dynamic PDGFRα expression was identified in corneal stromal cells, lens epithelial cells, lens fiber cells, and retinal astrocytes during the entire period of eye development, while PDGFRα expression in retinal astrocytes from E17.5 onwards and in Müller glial cells was identified within two weeks after birth. By revealing detailed characterization of gene expression and function, we present a comprehensive map of PDGFRα-expressing cells in the eye for a better understanding of PDGFRα signaling's role during eye development.
The Potential Benefits of Nanotechnology in Treating Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Currently, there is no definitive cure available to treat Alzheimer's disease. The available medication in the market has the ability to only slow down its progression. However, nanotechnology has shown its superiority that can be applied for medical usage and it has a great potential in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease, specifically in the disease diagnosis and providing an alternative approach to treat Alzheimer's disease. This is done by increasing the efficiency of drug delivery by penetrating and overcoming the blood-brain barrier. Having said that, there are limitations that need to be further investigated and researched in order to minimize the adverse effects and potential toxicity and to improve drug bioavailability. The recent advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using nanotechnology include the regeneration of stem cells, nanomedicine, and neuroprotection. In this review, we will discuss the advancement of nanotechnology which helps in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease as well as its challenges.
Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of SLN-Loaded Thermoresponsive Hydrogel System of Topotecan as Biological Macromolecule for Colorectal Delivery

Background Chemotherapeutic drugs cause severe toxicities if administered unprotected, without proper targeting, and controlled release. In this study, we developed topotecan- (TPT-) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for their chemotherapeutic effect against colorectal cancer. The TPT-SLNs were further incorporated into a thermoresponsive hydrogel system (TRHS) (TPT-SLNs-TRHS) to ensure control release and reduce toxicity of the drug. Microemulsion technique and cold method were, respectively, used to develop TPT-SLNs and TPT-SLNs-TRHS. Particle size, polydispersive index (PDI), and incorporation efficiency (IE) of the TPT-SLNs were determined. Similarly, gelation time, gel strength, and bioadhesive force studies of the TPT-SLNs-TRHS were performed. Additionally, in vitro release and pharmacokinetic and antitumour evaluations of the formulation were done. Results TPT-SLNs have uniformly distributed particles with mean size in nanorange (174 nm) and IE of ~90%. TPT-SLNs-TRHS demonstrated suitable gelation properties upon administration into the rat's rectum. Moreover, drug release was exhibited in a control manner over an extended period of time for the incorporated TPT. Pharmacokinetic studies showed enhanced bioavailability of the TPT with improved plasma concentration and AUC. Further, it showed significantly enhanced antitumour effect in tumour-bearing mice as compared to the test formulations. Conclusion It can be concluded that SLNs incorporated in TRHS could be a potential source of the antitumour drug delivery with better control of the drug release and no toxicity.
Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of prickly redfish Thelenota ananas (Jaeger, 1833)

Abstract In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of prickly redfish Thelenota ananas (Jaeger, 1833) was determined and characterized from the South China Sea using next-generation sequencing. Our results showed that the length of the whole mitogenome in prickly redfish was 15,858 bp and the mitogenome was consist of 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and one control region. Furthermore, the nucleotide composition was significantly biased (composition of A, G, T, and C was 28.20%, 22.64%, 33.53%, and 15.63%, respectively) with AT contents of 61.73%. All the PCGs shared a standard initiation codon ATG or GTG. CYTB and ND6 genes terminated with an incomplete stop codon T, while others ended with TAA or TAG. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that Thelenota ananas was clustered with the species of genus Stichopus, and formed sister branches with species of other genera within the family Stichopodidae clade.