Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of autophagy-related circular RNA (ACR) is correlated with poor survival of patients with chronic heart failure

ABSTRACT Autophagy‐related circular RNA (ACR) has been reported to protect myocardial tissues from injury and participate in chronic heart failure (CHF), while its role in CHF is unknown. This study aimed to study the role of ACR in CHF. ACR and miR-532 levels in CHF (ischemic-origin, n = 60) patients and healthy controls (n = 60) were analyzed by RT-qPCR. The prognostic value of ACR was analyzed by survival curve analysis. ACR was overexpressed in cardiomyocytes, and the effects of ACR overexpression on the expression of miR-532 and the methylation of miR-532 gene were analyzed using RT-qPCR and methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Cardiomyocyte apoptosis under hypoxic conditions was analyzed with cell apoptosis assay. It was observed that ACR expression was downregulated in CHF. Kaplan‑Meier and multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that low ACR predicted overall survival of CHF patients and ACR was inversely correlated with miR-532 across plasma samples. In cardiomyocytes, ACR increased miR-532 gene methylation to decrease its expression. Cell apoptosis analysis showed that ACR overexpression reduced the enhancing effects of miR-532 overexpression on cardiomyocyte apoptosis under hypoxic conditions. Therefore, ACR is downregulated in CHF and may suppress hypoxia-induced cardiomyocytes by downregulating miR-532 via methylation. Graphical abstract
Association between Dry Eye Parameters Depends on Tear Components

How tear components contribute to dry-eye symptoms/signs remains less well-defined. This observational cross-sectional study enrolled 4817 (F/M = 3590/1227) patients. Subjective symptoms were evaluated with the SPEED and OSDI questionnaires. Fluorescein tear breakup time (FTBUT), superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) grading, Schirmer scores, number of expressible meibomian glands (MGE), lipid layer thickness (LLT), blink/partial blink rates and meibography were recorded. Patients were divided into 4 types according to their Schirmer scores and LLT, i.e., Type 1 (N = 1494): Schirmer > 5 mm, LLT > 60 nm; Type 2 (N = 698): Schirmer > 5 mm, LLT ≤ 60 nm; Type 3 (N = 1160): Schirmer ≤ 5 mm, LLT ≤ 60 nm; Type 4 (N = 1465): Schirmer ≤ 5 mm, LLT > 60 nm. Lipid deficiency (LLT ≤ 60 nm) and aqueous deficiency (Schirmer score ≤ 5 mm) were found in 38.6% and 54.5% of patients, respectively. The majority (62.4%) of lipid-deficient patients were also aqueous deficient, while 44.2% of aqueous-deficient patients were also lipid-deficient. Type 3 patients (mixed type) had the highest symptom scores (p = 0.008 and 0.007 for SPEED and OSDI, respectively), more total blinks (p < 0.001) and the shortest FTBUT (p < 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression demonstrated that LLT and Schirmer score were significant contributors to FTBUT in all 4 types. The FTBUT correlated with SPK severity in all 4 types, with Schirmer score in types 1 and 4, and with LLT in type 3 patients. SPK correlated with LLT and MGE in types 1 and 4. Age correlated with dry eye parameters more significantly than sex. Subtyping by aqueous and lipid components facilitates the understanding of dry eye pathophysiology.
A Secreted Lignin Peroxidase Required for Fungal Growth and Virulence and Related to Plant Immune Response

Botryosphaeria spp. are important phytopathogenic fungi that infect a wide range of woody plants, resulting in big losses worldwide each year. However, their pathogenetic mechanisms and the related virulence factors are rarely addressed. In this study, seven lignin peroxidase (LiP) paralogs were detected in Botryosphaeria kuwatsukai, named BkLiP1 to BkLiP7, respectively, while only BkLiP1 was identified as responsible for the vegetative growth and virulence of B. kuwatsukai as assessed in combination with knock-out, complementation, and overexpression approaches. Moreover, BkLiP1, with the aid of a signal peptide (SP), is translocated onto the cell wall of B. kuwatsukai and secreted into the apoplast space of plant cells as expressed in the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana, which can behave as a microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) to trigger the defense response of plants, including cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, callose deposition, and immunity-related genes up-regulated. It supports the conclusion that BkLiP1 plays an important role in the virulence and vegetative growth of B. kuwatsukai and alternatively behaves as an MAMP to induce plant cell death used for the fungal version, which contributes to a better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanism of Botryosphaeria fungi.
study of the levels of oxidative stress status in sera among Iraqi patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Chronic hyperglycaemia and cluster of lipid abnormalities associated with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), is defined by decreases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and increases in triglyceride (TG) and small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) leads to increased lipid peroxidation in the body, followed by the development of chronic complications due to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was carried out to compare total antioxidant (TAO) levels and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with that of healthy controls without diabetes. Methods: A total of 93 participants (68 T2DM divided into three groups: group I (19) patients with diabetic duration (˂5 years), group II (19) patients with diabetic duration (≥5˃10 years), group III (30) patients with diabetic duration (≥10 years) and 25 healthy people) gave their consent and participated in the study. Thus, to achieve that, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI), as well as the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile were measured in patients group and the healthy individuals.
Prevalence, Antibiotic-Resistance, and Replicon-Typing of Salmonella Strains among Serovars Mainly Isolated from Food Chain in Marche Region, Italy

Nontyphoidal salmonellosis (NTS) is the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in humans and an important cause of food-borne outbreaks in Europe. The use of antimicrobial agents for animals, plants, and food production contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strains that are transmissible to humans through food. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and the potential dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella strains isolated in the Marche Region (Central Italy) via the food chain. Strains were isolated from different sources: food, human, food animal/livestock, and the food-processing environment. Among them, we selected MDR strains to perform their further characterization in terms of resistance to tetracycline agent, carriage of tet genes, and plasmid profiles. Tetracycline resistance genes were detected by PCR and plasmid replicons by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT). A total of 102 MDR Salmonella strains were selected among the most prevalent serovars: S. Infantis (n = 36/102), S. Derby (n = 20/102), S. Typhimurium (n = 18/102), and a monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium (MVST, n = 28/102). Resistance to sulfisoxazole (86%) and tetracycline (81%) were the most common, followed by ampicillin (76%). FIIS was the most predominant replicon (17%), followed by FII (11%) and FIB (11%) belonging to the IncF incompatibility group. Concerning the characterization of tet genes, tetB was the most frequently detected (27/89), followed by tetA (10/89), tetG (5/89), and tetM (1/89). This study showed the potential risk associated with the MDR Salmonella strains circulating along the food chain. Hence, epidemiological surveillance supported by molecular typing could be a very useful tool to prevent transmission of resistant Salmonella from food to humans, in line with the One Health approach.
Brain Protective Effect of Resveratrol via Ameliorating Interleukin-1β-Induced MMP-9-Mediated Disruption of ZO-1 Arranged Integrity

In the central nervous system (CNS), the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is induced by several factors and contributes to CNS disorders, including inflammation and neurodegeneration. Thus, the upregulation of MMP-9 has been considered to be an indicator of inflammation. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is an important proinflammatory cytokine which can induce various inflammatory factors, such as MMP-9, in many inflammatory disorders. Several phytochemicals are believed to reduce the risk of several inflammatory disorders, including the CNS diseases. Among them, the resveratrol, a principal phenolic compound of the grape, blueberry, and mulberry peels and Cassia plants, has been shown to possess several medicinal properties, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor function. Herein, we used mouse-brain microvascular endothelial cells (bMECs) to demonstrate the signaling mechanisms of IL-1β-induced MMP-9 expression via zymographic, RT-PCR, Western blot, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, immunofluorescence stain, and promoter reporter analyses. Then we evaluated the effects of resveratrol on IL-1β-induced MMP-9 expression in bMECs and its mechanism of action. We first demonstrated that IL-1β induced MMP-9 expression in bMECs. Subsequently, IL-1β induced MMP-9 expression via ROS-mediated c-Src-dependent transactivation of EGFR, and then activation of the ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, JNK1/2, and NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, we determined that IL-1β-induced upregulation of MMP-9 may cause the disruption of the arranged integrity of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), but this could be inhibited by resveratrol. These data indicated that resveratrol may have antioxidative and brain-protective activities by reducing these related pathways of ROS-mediated MMP-9 expression and tight junction disruption in brain microvascular endothelial cells.
Microstructural Characterization of Additively Manufactured Metal Components Using Linear and Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is an innovative manufacturing technology that uses a high-power laser for the layer-by-layer production of metal components. Despite many achievements in the field of AM, few studies have focused on the nondestructive characterization of microstructures, such as grain size and porosity. In this study, various microstructures of additively manufactured metal components were characterized non-destructively using linear/nonlinear ultrasonic techniques. The contributions of this study are as follows: (1) presenting correlation analyses of various microstructures (grain size and texture, lack of fusion, and porosity) and ultrasonic properties (ultrasonic velocity, attenuation, and nonlinearity parameters), (2) development of nondestructive microstructural characterization techniques for additively manufactured components; and (3) exploring the potential for the online monitoring of AM processes owing to the nondestructive nature of the proposed technique. The performance of the proposed technique was validated using additively manufactured samples under varying laser beam speed conditions. The characteristics of the target microstructures characterized using the proposed technique were consistent with the results obtained using destructive optical microscopy and electron back-scattered diffraction methods.
Impact of the “DrugSpeak” programme on drug name pronunciation skills and perceptions in a pharmacy student cohort

Introduction: Difficulties in pronouncing many drug names can lead to medication errors in pharmacy practice. A pilot study called DrugSpeak was devised to provide educational scaffolding to enable students to pronounce drug names correctly. Method: Student participants (n = 26) accessed online videos on phonetics and audio files of drug names, and then undertook a workshop that provided them with basic phonetics training to assist them in pronouncing drug names correctly. Surveys and audio recordings of student pronunciations of drug names were conducted before and after intervention with DrugSpeak. Results: Significant increases (p<0.01) in student drug pronunciation and accuracy were observed following DrugSpeak. Students reported reductions in anxiety and enhancements in their confidence levels relevant to drug pronunciation. Conclusion: The DrugSpeak education package yielded promising outcomes in the improvement of student drug pronunciation skills and in providing students with the confidence to tackle drug names unfamiliar to them.
Flexible and stretchable 3D printed passive UHF RFID tag

The fabrication and analysis of a flexible and stretchable 3D printed passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag are presented. The tag is fabricated on a flexible 3D printed Ninjaflex substrate and the conductive part of the tag consists of stretchable silver conductive paste dispensed with direct write method. The details of the 3D printing of the substrate, the characterisation of the substrate material at the UHF band, the direct write dispensing of the tag antenna, and the simulation and wireless measurement results of the fabricated tag are outlined. Moreover, to verify the flexibility and stretchability of the tag, strain reliability results of the tag are presented. Measurement results show that initially the manufactured tag achieves a 10.6 m read range. After 100 times of harsh stretching, the read range is still 7.4 m. Overall, the performance of the tag is robust and concludes that the fabrication methodology can be used in the manufacturing of RFID tags for future identification and sensing applications.
Physiological responses, time–motion characteristics and game performance in 4 vs. 4 small-sided games in elite youth soccer players: different number of mini-goals vs. stop-ball

ABSTRACT Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the physical load, time–motion characteristics and game performance of small-sided soccer games played with one goal a-side (SSG-1G), two goals a-side (SSG-2G) and stop-ball rule (SSG-SB). Methods: Sixteen elite youth soccer players (aged 15.5 ± 0.5 years, VO2max 67.9 ± 4.8 ml · min−1 · kg−1, maximum heart rate [HRmax] 200.0 ± 7.3 beats · min−1) performed all games within 1 week in preseason. Physiological measurements included HR expressed in mean values and intensity zones, blood lactate concentration and ratings of perceived exertion. Distance travelled, number of sprints and work–rest ratio were captured by global positioning systems at 5 Hz. Game performance, such as volume of play and efficacy index, was estimated by the Team Sports Assessment Procedure. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in HR, blood lactate concentration, moving at 7–12 km · h−1 and volume of play. Additionally, magnitude-based inferences demonstrated that SSG-1G was associated with the most pronounced physiological load (HR 175 ± 8 beats · min−1, blood lactate concentration 5.7 ± 2.1 mmol · l−1) and volume of play, followed by SSG-SB and SSG-2G. Conclusions: Thus, SSG-1G is recommended if a high-intensity game is preferred. Moreover, the high physiological load does not negatively affect the overall game performance.
Demonstration of Molecular Tunneling Junctions Based on Vertically Stacked Graphene Heterostructures

We demonstrate the fabrication and complete characterization of vertical molecular tunneling junctions based on graphene heterostructures, which incorporate a control series of arylalkane molecules acting as charge transport barriers. Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were employed to identify the formation of the molecular monolayer via an electrophilic diazonium reaction on a pre-patterned bottom graphene electrode. The top graphene electrode was transferred to the deposited molecular layer to form a stable electrical connection without filamentary damage. Then, we showed proof of intrinsic charge carrier transport through the arylalkane molecule in the vertical tunneling junctions by carrying out multiprobe approaches combining complementary transport characterization methods, which included length- and temperature-dependent charge transport measurements and transition voltage spectroscopy. Interpretation of all the electrical characterizations was conducted on the basis of intact statistical analysis using a total of 294 fabricated devices. Our results and analysis can provide an objective criterion to validate molecular electronic devices fabricated with graphene electrodes and establish statistically representative junction properties. Since many of the experimental test beds used to examine molecular junctions have generated large variation in the measured data, such a statistical approach is advantageous to identify the meaningful parameters with the data population and describe how the results can be used to characterize the graphene-based molecular junctions.
A Comparison of Three Measures to Identify Postnatal Anxiety: Analysis of the 2020 National Maternity Survey in England

Perinatal anxiety affects an estimated 15% of women globally and is associated with poor maternal and infant outcomes. Identifying women with anxiety is essential to prevent these adverse associations, but there are a number of challenges around measurement. We used data from England’s 2020 National Maternity Survey to compare the prevalence of anxiety symptoms at six months postpartum using three different measures: the two-item Generalised Anxiety Disorders Scale (GAD-2), the anxiety subscales of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS-3A) and a direct question. The concordance between each pair of measures was calculated using two-by-two tables. Survey weights were applied to increase the representativeness of the sample and reduce the risk of non-response bias. The prevalence of postnatal anxiety among a total of 4611 women was 15.0% on the GAD-2, 28.8% on the EPDS-3A and 17.1% on the direct question. Concordance between measures ranged between 78.6% (95% CI 77.4–79.8; Kappa 0.40) and 85.2% (95% CI 84.1–86.2; Kappa 0.44). Antenatal anxiety was the strongest predictor of postnatal anxiety across all three measures. Women of Black, Asian or other minority ethnicity were less likely to report self-identified anxiety compared with women of White ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio 0.44; 95% CI 0.30–0.64). Despite some overlap, different anxiety measures identify different groups of women. Certain population characteristics such as women’s ethnicity may determine which type of measure is most likely to identify women experiencing anxiety.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (EI) AMONG SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Emotional intelligence plays an important role in teaching profession; it has direct effect on the teacher’s behaviour in school and it is important for the success of their career. This study sought to investigate the Emotional Intelligence (EI) of special education teachers in primary schools based on their demographic profile. The study aimed to see whether the respondents’ demographic profile (marital status, level of education and teaching experience) influence the level of their EI. The respondents of the study consisted of 100 primary school special education teachers who were selected using purposive sampling. The research was quantitative and used the survey method through questionnaire. The results of this study were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. The study adopted One-Way ANOVA to look deeper into the magnitude of the demographic profiles on EI. The findings showed that there were no significant differences in EI among the respondents based on marital status, level of education, and teaching experience. In conclusion, the respondents’ demographic profiles do not influence the level of emotional intelligence. This directly indicates EI is governed by other factors probably on intrinsic motivation, personnel competence and social competence.
Evaluation of vector sensors for adaptive equalization in underwater acoustic communication

Underwater acoustic communication is an extremely complex field that faces many challenges due to the time-varying nature of the ocean environment. Vector sensors are a proven technology that when utilizing their directional sensing capabilities allows us to minimize the effect of interfering noise sources. A traditional pressure sensor array has been the standard for years but suffers at degraded signal to noise ratios (SNR) and requires maneuvers or a lengthly array aperture to direction find. This thesis explores the effect of utilizing a vector sensor array to steer to the direction of signal arrival and the effect it has on equalization of the signal at degraded SNRs. It was demonstrated that utilizing a single vector sensor we were able steer to the direction of arrival and improve the ability of an equalizer to determine the transmitted signal. This improvement was most prominent when the SNR was degraded to levels of 0 and 10 dB where the performance of the vector sensor outperformed that of the pressure sensor in nearly 100% of cases. Finally, this performance improvement occured with a savings in computational expense. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. James C. Preisig Title: Associate Scientist with Tenure Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Wintertime aerosol chemistry and haze evolution in an extremely 1 polluted city of North China Plain: significant contribution from coal 2 and biomass combustion 3

The North China Plain (NCP) frequently experiences heavy haze pollution, particularly during wintertime. In 2015- 20 2016 winter, the NCP region suffered several extremely severe haze episodes with air pollution red alerts issued in many cities. 21 We have investigated the sources and aerosol evolution processes of the severe pollution episodes in Handan, a typical 22 industrialized city in the NCP region, using real-time measurements from an intensive field campaign during the winter of 23 2015-2016. The average (± 1  ) concentration of submicron aerosol (PM 1 ) during December 3, 2015 – February 5, 2016 was periods (daily PM 2.5 > 75 μg m -3 ), indicating relatively synchronous increases of all aerosol species during haze formation. The case study of a severe haze episode, which lasted 8 days starting with a steady build-up of aerosol pollution followed by a persistently high level of PM 1 (326.7 – 700.8 μg m -3 ), revealed the significant influence of stagnant meteorological conditions 38 which acerbate air pollution in the Handan region. The haze episode ended with a shift of wind which brought in cleaner air 39 masses from the northwest of Handan and gradually reduced PM 1 concentration to < 50 μg m -3 after 12 hours. Aqueous-phase 40 reactions under higher relative humidity (RH) were found to significantly promote the production of secondary inorganic 41 species (especially sulfate), but showed little influence on SOA.