Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and Prognostic Value Exploration of Radiotherapy Sensitivity-Associated Genes in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Background Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a prevalent malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis. The radiotherapy is one of the most common treatments of NSCLC, and the radiotherapy sensitivity of patients could affect the individual prognosis of NSCLC. However, the prognostic signatures related to radiotherapy response still remain limited. Here, we explored the radiosensitivity-associated genes and constructed the prognostically predictive model of NSCLC cases. Methods The NSCLC samples with radiotherapy records were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and the mRNA expression profiles of NSCLC patients from the GSE30219 and GSE31210 datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA), univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), multivariate Cox regression analysis, and nomogram were conducted to identify and validate the radiotherapy sensitivity-related signature. Results WGCNA revealed that 365 genes were significantly correlated with radiotherapy response. LASSO Cox regression analysis identified 8 genes, including FOLR3, SLC6A11, ALPP, IGFN1, KCNJ12, RPS4XP22, HIST1H2BH, and BLACAT1. The overall survival (OS) of the low-risk group was better than that of the high-risk group separated by the Risk Score based on these 8 genes for the NSCLC patients. Furthermore, the immune infiltration analysis showed that monocytes and activated memory CD4 T cells had different relative proportions in the low-risk group compared with the high-risk group. The Risk Score was correlated with immune checkpoints, including CTLA4, PDL1, LAG3, and TIGIT. Conclusion We identified 365 genes potentially correlated with the radiotherapy response of NSCLC patients. The Risk Score model based on the identified 8 genes can predict the prognosis of NSCLC patients.
Advances in Understanding of Pathogenesis and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Kidney Disease: A Review.

There continues to be rapid advancement in the understanding of pathogenesis of immune mediated kidney disease. This progress has culminated into development of multiple therapeutic agents that have consistently improved renal and patient outcomes. The focus of this review is to discuss these recent advancements in immune mediated kidney disease via the lens of direct and indirect immune mediated mechanisms. In the direct immune mediated disease, recently described antigens in anti-GBM disease and membranous nephropathy are discussed, along with new therapeutic regimes in membranous nephropathy and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. From an indirect immune disease standpoint, recent pivotal trials in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody vasculitis, lupus nephritis and IgA nephropathy are examined from a real world practice perspective. New molecular pathways in various disorders of alternate complement pathway are described, which in turn, have led to development of various experimental therapies. In addition, pivotal and ongoing therapeutic trials in the aforementioned diseases are presented.
Distinct responses of growth and respiration to growth temperatures in two mangrove species

Abstract Background and Aims Mangrove plants are mostly found in tropical and sub-tropical tidal flats, and their limited distribution may be related to their responses to growth temperatures. However, the mechanisms underlying these responses have not been clarified. Here, we measured the dependencies of the growth parameters and respiration rates of leaves and roots on growth temperatures in typical mangrove species. Methods We grew two typical species of Indo-Pacific mangroves, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Rhizophora stylosa, at four different temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30 °C) by irrigating with fresh water containing nutrients, and we measured growth parameters, chemical composition, and leaf and root O2 respiration rates. We then estimated the construction costs of leaves and roots and the respiration rates required for maintenance and growth. Key Results The relative growth rates of both species increased with growth temperature due to changes in physiological parameters such as net assimilation rate and respiration rate rather than to changes in structural parameters such as leaf area ratio. Both species required a threshold temperature for growth (12.2 °C in B. gymnorrhiza and 18.1 °C in R. stylosa). At the low growth temperature, root nitrogen uptake rate was lower in R. stylosa than in B. gymnorrhiza, leading to a slower growth rate in R. stylosa. This indicates that R. stylosa is more sensitive than B. gymnorrhiza to low temperature. Conclusions Our results suggest that the mangrove species require a certain warm temperature to ensure respiration rates sufficient for maintenance and growth, particularly in roots. The underground temperature probably limits their growth under the low-temperature condition. The lower sensitivity of B. gymnorrhiza to low temperature shows its potential to adapt to a wider habitat temperature range than R. stylosa. These growth and respiratory features may explain the distribution patterns of the two mangrove species.
A molecularly integrated grade for meningioma

Abstract Background Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumor in adults. Clinical care is currently guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) grade assigned to meningiomas, a 3-tiered grading system based on histopathology features, as well as extent of surgical resection. Clinical behavior, however, often fails to conform to the WHO grade. Additional prognostic information is needed to optimize patient management. Methods We evaluated whether chromosomal copy-number data improved prediction of time-to-recurrence for patients with meningioma who were treated with surgery, relative to the WHO schema. The models were developed using Cox proportional hazards, random survival forest, and gradient boosting in a discovery cohort of 527 meningioma patients and validated in 2 independent cohorts of 172 meningioma patients characterized by orthogonal genomic platforms. Results We developed a 3-tiered grading scheme (Integrated Grades 1-3), which incorporated mitotic count and loss of chromosome 1p, 3p, 4, 6, 10, 14q, 18, 19, or CDKN2A. 32% of meningiomas reclassified to either a lower-risk or higher-risk Integrated Grade compared to their assigned WHO grade. The Integrated Grade more accurately identified meningioma patients at risk for recurrence, relative to the WHO grade, as determined by time-dependent area under the curve, average precision, and the Brier score. Conclusion We propose a molecularly integrated grading scheme for meningiomas that significantly improves upon the current WHO grading system in prediction of progression-free survival. This framework can be broadly adopted by clinicians with relative ease using widely available genomic technologies and presents an advance in the care of meningioma patients.
Systematic study of precursor effects on structure and oxygen reduction reaction activity of FeNC catalysts

In this work, the effect of porphyrin loading and template size is varied systematically to study its impact on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and selectivity as followed by rotating ring disc electrode experiments in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. The structural composition and morphology are investigated by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. It is shown that with decreasing template size, specifically the ORR performance towards fuel cell application gets improved, while at constant area loading of the iron precursor (here expressed in number of porphyrin layers), the iron signature does not change much. Moreover, it is well illustrated that too large area loadings result in the formation of undesired side phases that also cause a decrease in the performance, specifically in acidic electrolyte. Thus, if the impact of morphology is the focus of research it is important to consider the area loading rather than its weight loading. At constant weight loading, beside morphology the structural composition can also change and impact the catalytic performance. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bio-derived and bioinspired sustainable advanced materials for emerging technologies (part 2)’.
Dielectric properties of UV-irradiated ultrathin polysulfone films revealed by surface plasmon resonance method

ABSTRACT The surface plasmon resonance research of manufactured highly homogeneous ultrathin polysulfone films was performed, which were exposed to the short-wave (254 nm) UV irradiation of various durations. Surprisingly, the resonance incident angle and dielectric constant increase after short-term UV irradiation before the ordinary decrease caused by usual polymer degradation. The experimental results are ascribed to the formation of polar groups leading to orientation of chain fragments of intermediate length followed by their breaking and formation of mobile short fragments under longer times of irradiation.
Optimal look-back period for adequate and less procyclical credit capital forecasts

ABSTRACT This study presents an approach to determining the optimal look-back period for adequate and less procyclical credit capital requirement forecast of U.S. commercial banking system under the regulatory framework. The approach conducts rolling window estimations together with back-tests and procyclicality checks for various sizes of sample windows and portfolio aggregation methods. The empirical results first show that capital requirement forecasts from shorter-term samples are more adequate but more procyclical compared to those from longer-term samples. Second, the forecasts based on stand-alone method are more adequate than those taking diversification into account. Third, tail dependence is inevitable for diversification methods to satisfy the adequacy. Finally, based on these findings, the sample of two business cycles, twice that of the Basel Committee’s minimum requirement of the historical observation period for internal rating grade, provides micro-prudentially the most adequate and macro-prudentially less procyclical credit capital forecasts in the U.S. commercial banking system.
Calprotectin in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy and Variants—A Potential Novel Biomarker of Disease Activity

Background: In chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), there is an urgent need for biomarkers to monitor ongoing disease activity. Serum calprotectin (CLP) induces signaling pathways involved in inflammatory processes and has been shown to correlate with markers of disease activity in other autoimmune disorders. Thus, we wanted to study the potential value of CLP in comparison to serum neurofilament light chain (sNfl) to monitor disease activity. Materials and Methods: Sera from 63 typical and atypical CIDP and 6 MMN patients with varying degrees of disease activity were analyzed in comparison with 40 healthy controls (HC) in a cross-sectional design. Association of CLP and sNfl levels with socio-demographics, disease duration, CIDP disease activity scale (CDAS), and impairment status [medical research council-sum score (MRC-SS), the inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment disability score (INCAT-DS), grip strength, and maximum walking distance], patient-reported outcome (PRO) parameters [SF-36 questionnaire, Beck's depression index (BDI), and fatigue severity scale (FSS)], as well as treatment regime were investigated using uni- and multivariate analysis. Results: CLP and sNfl levels were significantly higher in all CIDP patients compared to HC (p = 0.0009). Multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender revealed that CLP acts as an independent predictor for CIDP and MMN. CLP was significantly associated with active disease course according to CDAS and correlated with MRC-SS, whereas sNfl correlated with parameters of disease impairment. There was no correlation with PRO, except for sNfl and the mental health composite score. Subgroup analysis revealed no differences between typical CIDP and atypical variants. Conclusions: CLP was elevated in CIDP and variants and was associated with active disease course, whereas sNfl shows further potential as biomarker of axonal degeneration. Thus, CLP might be a suitable additive biomarker for measurement of ongoing inflammation, which is greatly needed to guide better patient care in CIDP.
Planetary Boundary Layer Height Estimates From ICESat-2 and CATS Backscatter Measurements

The lowest layer of the atmosphere in which all human activity occurs is called the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). All physical interactions with the surface, such as heat and moisture transport, pollution dispersion and transport happen in this relatively shallow layer. The ability to understand and model the complex interactions that occur in the PBL is very important to air quality, weather prediction and climate modeling. A fundamental and physically important property of the PBL is its thickness or height. This work presents two methods to obtain global PBL height using satellite lidar data from the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) and the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS). The first method is a straightforward backscatter threshold technique and the second is a machine learning approach known as a Convolutional Neural Network. The PBL height retrievals from the two methods are compared with each other and with PBL height from the NASA GEOS MERRA-2 reanalysis. The lidar-retrieved PBL heights have a high degree of spatial correlation with the model heights but are generally higher over ocean (∼400 m) and over northern hemisphere high latitude regions (∼1,000 m). Over mid-latitude and tropical land areas, the satellite estimated PBL heights agree well with model mid-day estimates. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using satellite lidar backscatter measurements to obtain global PBL height estimates, as well as determining seasonal and regional variability of PBL height.
Glaucoma Clinical Research: Trends in Treatment Strategies and Drug Development

Purpose: To investigate the trends and progresses in glaucoma research by searching two major clinical trial registries; clinicaltrials.gov, and Australianclinicaltrials.gov. au. Methods: All clinical trials with glaucoma covered by Clinicaltrials.gov, and Australianclinicaltrials.gov. au starting the study before 1 January 2021 were included. Trials evaluating glaucoma treatment were separated from non-treatment trials and divided into three major categories: “laser treatment,” “surgical treatment,” and “medical treatment. ” In the category of “medical treatment,” new compounds and their individual targets were identified and subcategorized according to treatment strategy; intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering, neuroprotective or vascular. The phase transition success rates were calculated. Results: One-thousand five hundred and thirty-seven trials were identified. Sixty-three percent (n = 971) evaluated glaucoma treatment, of which medical treatment accounted for the largest proportion (53%). The majority of medical trials evaluated IOP-lowering compounds, while trials with neuroprotective or vascular compounds accounted for only 5 and 3%, respectively. Eighty-eight new compounds were identified. Phase I, II, and III transition success rates were 63, 26, and 47%, respectively. Conclusion: The number of clinical trials in glaucoma research has increased significantly over the last 30 years. Among the most recently evaluated compounds, all three main treatment strategies were represented, but clinical trials in neuroprotection and vascular modalities are still sparse. In addition to traditional medicines, dietary supplements and growth factors are assessed for a potential anti-glaucomatous effect. Phase II and III success rates were below previously reported success rates for all diseases and ophthalmology in general. A stricter phenotyping of patients can improve the success rates in glaucoma and ophthalmological research and gain a better understanding of responders and non-responders.
The Impact of Diet and Physical Activity on Bone Health in Children and Adolescents

There is growing recognition of the role of diet and physical activity in modulating bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and remodeling, which in turn can impact bone health later in life. Adequate nutrient composition could influence bone health and help to maximize peak bone mass. Therefore, children’s nutrition may have lifelong consequences. Also, physical activity, adequate in volume or intensity, may have positive consequences on bone mineral content and density and may preserve bone loss in adulthood. Most of the literature that exists for children, about diet and physical activity on bone health, has been translated from studies conducted in adults. Thus, there are still many unanswered questions about what type of diet and physical activity may positively influence skeletal development. This review focuses on bone requirements in terms of nutrients and physical activity in childhood and adolescence to promote bone health. It explores the contemporary scientific literature that analyzes the impact of diet together with the typology and timing of physical activity that could be more appropriate depending on whether they are children and adolescents to assure an optimal skeleton formation. A description of the role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and gut hormones (gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, and GLP-2) as potential candidates in this interaction to promote bone health is also presented.
Study Protocol for the Development of a European eHealth Platform to Improve Quality of Life in Individuals With Huntington's Disease and Their Partners (HD-eHelp Study): A User-Centered Design Approach

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease that affects the quality of life (QoL) of HD gene expansion carriers (HDGECs) and their partners. Although HD expertise centers have been emerging across Europe, there are still some important barriers to care provision for those affected by this rare disease, including transportation costs, geographic distance of centers, and availability/accessibility of these services in general. eHealth seems promising in overcoming these barriers, yet research on eHealth in HD is limited and fails to use telehealth services specifically designed to fit the perspectives and expectations of HDGECs and their families. In the European HD-eHelp study, we aim to capture the needs and wishes of HDGECs, partners of HDGECs, and health care providers (HCPs) in order to develop a multinational eHealth platform targeting QoL of both HDGECs and partners at home. Methods: We will employ a participatory user-centered design (UCD) approach, which focusses on an in-depth understanding of the end-users' needs and their contexts. Premanifest and manifest adult HDGECs (n = 76), partners of HDGECs (n = 76), and HCPs (n = 76) will be involved as end-users in all three phases of the research and design process: (1) Exploration and mapping of the end-users' needs, experiences and wishes; (2) Development of concepts in collaboration with end-users to ensure desirability; (3) Detailing of final prototype with quick review rounds by end-users to create a positive user-experience. This study will be conducted in the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, and Ireland to develop and test a multilingual platform that is suitable in different healthcare systems and cultural contexts. Discussion: Following the principles of UCD, an innovative European eHealth platform will be developed that addresses the needs and wishes of HDGECs, partners and HCPs. This allows for high-quality, tailored care to be moved partially into the participants' home, thereby circumventing some barriers in current HD care provision. By actively involving end-users in all design decisions, the platform will be tailored to the end-users' unique requirements, which can be considered pivotal in eHealth services for a disease as complex and rare as HD.
Clubhouse Model of Psychiatric Rehabilitation in China to Promote Recovery of People With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Whether the clubhouse model of psychiatric rehabilitation is well-implemented in China and whether patients with schizophrenia successfully achieve symptom remission and functional recovery through engaging in the clubhouse remain unclear. Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched for relevant articles from inception to April 21, 2021. Quality assessment, data synthesis, and subgroup analysis were performed on the included studies. Results: Seven randomized controlled studies with 682 participants were included in the present meta-analysis. The clubhouse model of psychiatric rehabilitation has a significant effect on promoting the remission of psychiatric symptoms, especially negative symptoms. However, it does not show a definite effect on promoting recovery of positive symptoms. The clubhouse model of psychiatric rehabilitation has a significant effect on promoting social functioning recovery, reducing the family burden, improving the quality of life, and promoting the remission of depressive and anxiety symptoms of patients with schizophrenia in China. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the clubhouse model of psychiatric rehabilitation can promote the remission of symptoms and functional recovery of Chinese with schizophrenia. It may be suitable to address the urgent need for better mental health services in China.